I have an original watercolour by Helen Allingham. What is it worth?
Value depends on a number of factors. Size and condition are naturally important, but the subject and provenance can be equally or more important. All else being equal, a large painting is generally valued more than a small one, and one in perfect condition is worth more than one with faded colours, tears, water damage, or foxing (small reddish brown spots). Personal scenes, such as those inside the Allingham home or with her children, may fetch considerably more than cottage scenes, and her cottage pictures are more valuable than landscapes. A painting that was featured in a book is often better known and admired, so these will also have a greater value. And a solid provenance adds as well, especially if the painting was previously owned by a family member or famous person. Value can be hard to predict – even the “auction estimate” from large auction houses sometimes misses by a mile. But you can be sure a genuine Allingham will be valuable, and it is worth consulting with an expert o
