Cash Offer vs. Consignment

Modern Artifact can help collectors compare two common selling paths: direct sale and consignment.

A direct acquisition may be best when a seller wants speed, certainty, privacy, and a clean transaction.

Consignment may be better when the work deserves a more deliberate presentation and the seller has time to wait for the right collector.

Direct Sale May Offer

• Faster liquidity

• Certainty

• Fewer steps

• No public auction exposure

• Simple closing

• Private transaction

• No waiting for an end buyer

Consignment May Offer

• Potentially higher upside

• Gallery-led positioning

• Professional photography

• Curated description

• Targeted buyer placement

• More time to find the right collector

• More control than a no-reserve or poorly timed public sale

There is no single best option for every Alex Katz work. The right strategy depends on the artwork, condition, documentation, seller timeline, market demand, and desired level of involvement.

A clean, desirable signed print may be a good direct purchase candidate. A major painting may require a more tailored private placement strategy. A rare or highly visual edition may perform best when photographed, described, and presented to the right collector audience.