[capo]

Hello everyone, I need help deciding what to do.

I recently purchased a Kaws Paper Smile through Phillips Gallery One auction in Hong Kong which I highly recommend. The staff I have worked with and that are currently helping me are amazing. 

Long story short DHL lost the painting for 2 weeks and delivered it damaged so now I’m waiting for a settlement from the insurance that was put on it. 

I will still get to keep the painting correct? it’s still laying flat in the frame I got it in because I’m not sure what is going to happen. I’m a somewhat newer collector so have never been in the situation where insurance is involved. 

Second question, do I get it restored or leave it as is. It came off from the tape in the frame and was bouncing around while they were doing who knows what with it so the edges are all really really damaged. The signature is luckily not damaged but where he numbered it is completely destroyed.

I have before and after pictures. You can see Phillips took photos of the tiny damaged corners before I purchased it so I could see condition and now look at them   

Any advice is appreciated!



 

[orchid]

Yeah. That's fucked. Beyond redeemable satisfactory restoration.

[Adcua]

If the insurance company pay a claim, wouldn’t the item then become property of the insurance company?

[pottsy11]

Dec 23, 2021 22:20:44 GMT 1 Adcua said:

If the insurance company pay a claim, wouldn’t the item then become property of the insurance company?

I'm not sure but does it depend if they pay to write it off or pay to be repaired ? Damn shame whatever happens .

[kwatis]

Here’s my two cents:
File a claim with both DHL and Phillips. Find a local restoration place and research how much it’ll take to restore it and then make sure that one or both parties will cover the costs. It won’t be easy but it’s win/win for all involved.

[vvk]

Dec 23, 2021 22:20:44 GMT 1 Adcua said:

If the insurance company pay a claim, wouldn’t the item then become property of the insurance company?

in  my  experience with  non art related things yes . its property of the insurance agency. just like when your  car is totaled. if they pay  you off its theirs. but in alot of non auto related  cases they  just let you keep the  the items or ask you throw them away. 

i hope you are able to get paid and keep the art. 

[cest]

Repaired, like a badly damaged car, it is not worth what you paid.

You need to be made whole by DHL- repqir damage + loss

[Adam The Collector]

Unfortunate, but this is what happens sometimes. The way to avoid, always ship unframed! Always ship fully insured. Good luck with the claim, I hope they pay out. If you are in the United States I have had incredible success using Works on Paper in Vernmont, REACH OUT TO THEM! Good luck and sorry this happened to you being a new collector. Don't let it discourage you to the point of not continuing into the world of collecting works you love.

[sean1397]

75% of the time the insurer will take or keep the work. 25% of the time they forget, it's not worth it, etc. They may come for it months later so I would not sell it or get rid of it for 6-12 months after being paid out.

Sean

[sean1397]

Also I would put this on Philips. I would make them give me a refund and let them deal with the insurer - Id certainly alert my credit card to the problem as back up if you are not made whole

[capo]

Hey thanks for everyone’s input.

I live in Ontario Canada so would most likely have to ship it out of country to get repaired. Do you think it’s worth getting repaired or at this point just leave it. It’s really for my personal enjoyment, I have no intentions of selling it in the near future but wouldn’t hurt getting it repaired if it will help the value down the line.

Also Phillips has been dealing with DHL entirely and contacts me with updates. I really can’t say enough for the help they’ve been. Highly recommend them.

I’d really like to keep it, I bought it with the intention of it being the show piece of my collection..so far. Let’s hope a little Christmas miracle comes with a full refund and I get to keep it 🤞

If they make me destroy it I’ll make a video of me tearing it up and post the link to it on here hahah. I reeeally hope it doesn’t come to that.

Happy Holidays everyone!

[A Broke Collector]

Sheesh. Sad to see this happen to this print. However, I would push for a full refund. Even if its restored - it will more than likely be a major restoration job, which wouldn't help the value down the line. Just return it, and I don't know what you paid, but with a second lockdown looking unavoidable there are certain to be some good deals floating around, you might get another one. The key when searching for something specific is to stay patient. Hope it all works out. Happy Holidays

[artzzzy]

My all time favorite Kaws print!

Sorry to see it damaged this way.

I hope you’ll get your money back 🤞🏼

[bestdj777]

I hope you get your money back. If so, and they let you keep it, maybe you can mat out the damage?

[Lord Lucas Roham]

Take a Stanley to the damaged edges. Cut them into pieces and sell as an NFT.

[Collection 1]

I know a good paper restorer in Montreal:

www.atelier-schevalier.com/

[Bodega Cat]

Ouch. Paper Smile became Paper Frown
I'd tend to agree to just frame it and mat over the damage.
Good luck with the restoration attempt!

[fyvo]

Get what you can from insurance and then frame it with the edges matted. Still an enjoyable piece that way. 

[smasher]

Hi, I am a professional paper conservator......been working in this field for 28 years.  I specialise in the conservation and restoration of contemporary works of art on paper. My advise is that you should have this work conserved......make sure you only allow a properly qualified paper conservator to carry out the work.....definitely worth doing. Good luck.

Sean