Modern Kaleidscopes -- Collecting and Investing

by Judith Paul

Reprinted from the Brewster Society Newsletter, Vol. 7, Number 3, Fall 1992

I am, by vocation, an art conservator. I am, by avocation, a kaleidoscope lover. In my work it is my pleasure, and profit, to care for the painting collections of others. In my hobby I spend some of that profit on a passion for kaleidoscopes. Somewhere in the last year (and I have only been "into" scopes for three years) I have gone from buying to collecting--and collecting with an eye to investing. Although I am new to the Brewster world I have spent all of my professional life advising art collectors.

There are many reasons to collect art: to add beauty to our lives; to express an intrinsic interest in an art form; as an adventurous hobby, to search for the perfect piece to complement a collection; to decorate and enliven our homes; to share a passion; to participate in encouraging the creativity of artists; to feed an addiction; and to invest. I believe we who are witnessing and fueling this renaissance in kaleidoscope art are also watching the growth of a specialized market. Like all markets it is governed by the laws of supply and demand and informed collecting contributes to defining demand. The most important factor in collecting art, whether paintings, sculpture, or new to me, kaleidoscopes, is passion. If we collect what we love, there is never disappointment. If a collection comes to have investment value we are fortunate for it is the love of the art form that leads us to seek out the best and most interesting pieces, and these are the basis of an investment collection. But beyond the love there are other factors we should be aware of when considering investment.

1. Quality of Construction. No matter what the medium, (e.g. glass, wood, metal) there are better and lesser craftspeople. Excellence of materials (including, of course, mirrors) combined with beauty of execution affect the durability and value of the art.
2. Authenticity. Signed and dated pieces from the artist, or a reputable dealer are the most collectable. Any supportive documents (e.g. exhibition and gallery notes, catalogue references, articles, artists notes, receipts from previous owners, bills of sale) are valuable and important to the pedigree (called a provenance in the art world) of any artwork.
3. Importance and Reputation of the Artist. Some scope makers are admired and collected for their creativity, innovative designs, and excellent workmanship. Some are noticed, and noted, as poor copiers. The true artist is investing talent and soul in his or her art and becomes known and valued for quality and individuality. The designer who "opens new doors" reather than settling for replication is the designer to watch--and to invest in.
4. The Style--Typical or Rare. Some prefer to collect the premiere examples of particular forms (e.g., the most perfect two-mirror wood scopes, the most ornate glass and sold three-mirror scopes). Others are drawn to the rare, the oddity, the one-of-a-kind. Prototypes of scopes that were never put into production are a passion for some collectors. Either approach is interesting, and can be rewarding.
5. Aesthetic Merit. This is the most individual and personal criteria. The natural pleasure in owning something beautiful is a powerful factor in collecting. Critical acclaim can affect our judgement, but it is our own experience and sophistication that most often tells us what beauty is.
6. Rarity or Difficulty in Finding. The fewer there are, the more those few are desired, the higher the collectability factor. Some art is rare because of qualities inherent in the design, execution, or materials required. Pieces can be too large, difficult, or expensive, for instance, to make mass production possible. Some artists prefer to make only one-of-a-kind art. Others control price and production by limiting their editions (pieces are consecutively numbered from 1 through the edition limit number and are authenticated by a card from the artist which details the edition). In these cases, the artist affects the market by controlling availability.
7. Importance in the History of the Art Form. Innovation is a cardinal marker of value for a serious collector and investor. Any example of a scope that pushes the borders and redefines the limits has a collectible appeal. Researching the history of the renaissance of kaleidoscopes in, for example, Baker, Boswell, or the Brewster Newsletter, gives us a perspective on the inventiveness of the present day designers. "The first..." especially when widely and publicly acknowledged, is desirable to many collectors. When a scope is honored by a museum inclusion or receives The Brewster Society Award for Creative Ingenuity, the value will probably increase.

As mentioned above, the provenance (a history of the origins and ownership of a particular work of art) can be an imporant factor in terms of investment collecting. Pieces that might be de-accessed from the holdings of Cozy Baker, other distinguished collectors, or the estate of an artist will have a special appeal and cachet, now and in the future.

A wonderful example of an investable modern scope is, of course, the Van Dyke Series II. First produced in 1980 in a limited edition of 50, it retailed (and sold out) for $3,800. It now sells easily for twice that figure. By all the investment criteria, the Van Dyke Series II is a classic investment. I wish I had one. Or two. One to keep and enjoy and a second to sell to another scope lover...at a profit!

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