Damien Hirst

Buying Damien Hirst artwork on eBay.If you're a collector of Damien Hirst artwork or his signed books, then eBay is arguably the best place to get it, simply because of the variety and amount of Hirst stuff that is available. This guide will hopefully explain a few simple things, most of it common sense, to help you spot fakes or anything strange with the item. Unlike a gallery, with eBay you do not (usually) have the chance to physically see the piece first. You cannot pick it up, inspect it, scrutinise it for defects or ask questions regarding it's authenticity face-to-face with somebody. Unfortunately, there is fake stuff around - and it's getting much, much worse.
Contacting the seller before bidding.This is your only chance to get more information if you need it. Read the auction listing carefully, and if you are not completely happy with anything the seller says or if the seller has missed something from the listing (i.e. provenance!) then contact the seller. Most of the time you can get a 'feel' for the seller from how they respond to your questions. If they respond openly with lots of or more detailed information than you asked for, then this is usually a sign of a genuine seller without anything to hide.Personally, I would be wary of 'Yes/No' or 'Dont know' answers to questions and sellers who do not respond at all are a definite 'Do not bid' for me! Of course, take a look at the feedback of the seller as well in the
normal way, not only the total % feedback score, but both the
feedback left by previous buyers and the feedback left by the seller (sometimes this gives you more of an insight). I am also a wary of 'private auctions', where the bidders' IDs are kept private. Although I understand the seller's concerns regarding bidders' IDs when listing high value items, you cannot check for shill bidding.
Possible things to ask the seller:Provenance.This is a difficult area, but it is probably the most important information you can get from the seller. Ask the seller about how they obtained the item, where they got it from and who they got it from. Does their answer seem logical and feasible? Answers such as "Damien signed this beer mat for me when I met him in the pub last week" is simply not good enough! If the seller can provide any evidence at all in the form of signed letters, the original receipt, or even a photo of Hirst signing the item in question, all the better - although this seldom happens, if the seller can provide this they will usually be all to eager to tell you. Try to independently checkout the seller - for example if the seller tells you that they obtained the Hirst piece via their art gallery or via their place of work, then do a google search on them (most of the time you can get their name from their e-mail address or directly from the e-mail they sent to you) and see if you can find out if they actually work there etc. to try to corroborate their information.Hirst vary rarely signs anything for anybody anymore other than authentic, certified Hirst pieces, a signed book edition, a signing session in a gallery or if they're a friend of his. Provenance is a very difficult area, but a lot can be deduced from what the seller writes in their responses to you. Use your gut instinct and common sense. Obviously the provenance matters much more on a 4000 Euro Hirst gallery edition than a 40 Euro signed book edition. Keep all correspondence and print out seller e-mails, any extra photos and the eBay listing if you win. These will all help you to get a better price if you decide to sell the item later.Photographs.Some sellers provide lots of nice, big, detailed pictures on the auction listing. Most don't. Ask for more if you think it necessary or have any doubts about something at all. Ask for high-quality, close-up photos, especially of the signature or any marks/creases/problems with the item. Good sellers will not have a problem with this, and usually you can get some sort of rapport going with the seller with all the e-mail correspondence. Again, if there is no response, be very wary!Shipping, shipping costs