The Importance of Signing Work

[Doug Reesor]

I was recently given a turning by my sister as she knew I had taken up the habit. I have attached a copy. It was signed and dated by my great grandfather who died almost 50 years before I was born.

He was known in the area as a master woodworker. I certainly appreciate the connection.

Signing work also connects us with the generations we will never know.

Doug

 

[john lucas]

Now that's cool. That's part of the reason I put something on mine. Some one some where some time just might find it interesting. Hopefully it would be someone in the family.

 

[Dave Peebles]

Hi Doug,

I agree, that is very cool. It is great that it is still in your family. I look for old turnings everywhere I can. Most are not signed, I think you are very lucky that your Great Grandfather did sign it. If he had not, your family might have just thought it was a nice turning. And they may have never known where it came from.

My take on it is to sign everything that you make. It may not seem important right now, but it may mean a tremendous amount to someone down the road. At least we can hope so.

Best wishes,

Dave

 

[KellyDunn]

Doug, that is way cool. I have some things made by my grandfather. Not signed. So they most likely will end up in a garage sale some day. I urge folks to also add the year the piece was made. Gallery folks sometimes say it makes the work look like something is wrong with it if last years or several years ago date is on it. Baloney. It just takes the right person. I have been a full time turner since 89. One year I listened to a gallery owner and stopped dating. That was 1990 so if a person has my work undated I tell them. Bonnie Klein set me straight. I am the artist. A cronological point of reference is important. Collectors like to collect a persons work as they change. Dating is the only way. If your great grandfather had just signed the work you would have thought cool. But the year makes it killer. And adds an aspect of historical note. Linda and I have gotten a few turnings from the secondary market. A 1963 Bob Stocksdale offering plate among them. We know that because of the detail Bob took on the bottom of the plate. If it were unsigned it would have been just another wood item. But signed, dated and who it was given to really adds. Oh, and sign your name where it can be read. Not your check signiture.

 

[Joe Greiner]

Adding the species is also good, both for the recipient and for your memory aid (for the ones you keep).

I recently turned a vase from a neighbor's tree - wood found as a roadside orphan. I gave it to his survivors the day before his funeral, and they remarked that it had been his favorite tree. Gave it all an extra dimension.