Certificate of Authenticity
What is Certificate of Authenticity?
A certificate of authenticity is an official document that verifies a print's authenticity, edition number, and provides important documentation for insurance and resale purposes. It includes the artist's name, artwork title, edition number (e.g., '5/20'), print date, print specifications (size, material), artist signature verification, edition limit, and a unique certificate number.
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"Queen's Gambit" — Sossusvlei, Namibia
What You Receive
- Hand-signed print by the artist
- Numbered edition (e.g., "1/20", "2/20")
- Official certificate of authenticity
- Documentation of print specifications and materials
Why Certificates of Authenticity Matter
A certificate of authenticity (COA) is a crucial document that establishes the provenance, authenticity, and value of your fine art print. Every limited edition print reflects my commitment to authenticity and serves multiple important purposes:
Provenance & Ownership
The certificate documents that your print is an authentic work by the artist, including the edition number, print date, and artist's signature verification.
Value Protection
Limited-edition prints with certificates of authenticity maintain and often increase in value over time. The COA is essential for insurance, resale, and estate planning purposes.
Collector Confidence
The certificate provides assurance that you're purchasing an authentic, limited-edition work directly from the artist, not a reproduction or unauthorized copy.
Technical Documentation
Details about the printing process, materials used ( ChromaLuxe metal), size, edition limit, and other specifications are documented for future reference.
What's Included in Your Certificate
Certificate Details
- Artist Name: Ning Ma
- Artwork Title: The specific photograph title
- Edition Number: Your print's unique number (e.g., "5/20")
- Print Date: When the print was created
- Print Specifications: Size, material (ChromaLuxe metal), printing process
- Artist Signature: Verification of the hand-signed print
- Edition Limit: Total number of prints in the limited edition
- Certificate Number: Unique certificate identifier
Hand-Signed & Numbered Prints
Each limited-edition print is personally signed by the artist, Ning Ma, and numbered to indicate its position in the edition. This process ensures:
- Personal authentication: The artist's signature on the print itself confirms its authenticity
- Edition tracking: The number (e.g., "1/20", "15/20") shows exactly which print in the limited edition you own
- Collector value: Lower edition numbers are often more valuable to collectors
- Rarity guarantee: Once the edition limit is reached, no more prints of that size will be produced
Protecting Your Investment
Important: Keep Your Certificate Safe
Your certificate of authenticity is a valuable document that should be stored safely, separate from the print itself. Consider:
- Storing in a safe or fireproof document holder
- Keeping a digital copy or photograph as backup
- Including it in your insurance documentation
- Passing it along if you sell or gift the print
Insurance & Appraisal
When insuring your limited-edition print, the certificate of authenticity is essential documentation. It provides:
- Proof of authenticity for insurance claims
- Documentation of value for appraisal purposes
- Verification of edition number and rarity
- Supporting documentation for estate planning
Limited Edition vs. Open Edition
Limited Edition
- Hand-signed by the artist
- Numbered (e.g., "5/20")
- Certificate of authenticity included
- Fixed edition limit (e.g., 20 prints)
- Higher collector value
- Printed on ChromaLuxe metal
- Backed by lifetime no-fade guarantee
Open Edition
- Hand-signed by the artist
- No edition limit
- Framed, ready to hang
- Available in multiple sizes
- More accessible pricing
Verification & Authenticity
To verify the authenticity of your certificate or print:
- Check that the edition number on the certificate matches the number on the print
- Verify the artist's signature matches known examples
- Confirm the certificate number is unique and recorded
- Contact us if you have any questions about authenticity
Report Suspected Counterfeits
If you encounter a print claiming to be by Ning Ma that you believe may be counterfeit, please contact us immediately with details. We take authenticity seriously and will investigate any reports.
Transferring Ownership
If you sell or gift your limited-edition print, the certificate of authenticity should be transferred to the new owner. This ensures:
- Continuous provenance documentation
- Maintained value for the new owner
- Proper authentication for future sales
- Complete ownership history
Questions About Your Certificate?
If you have questions about your certificate of authenticity, need a replacement certificate, or want to verify the authenticity of a print, please contact us. We're committed to protecting the integrity of our limited-edition prints and ensuring collectors have proper documentation.