In our first unit, my husband and I found a painting.  I asked if he thought it was an original and he chuckled.  I planned on selling it for $20 at a yard sale.  I later brought in more items from the unit and discovered another painting from the same artist.  There was no way this one was reproduction, as it is an 'earth' painting that is very similar to a sand painting.

Hours of research and it appears that this artist had very few reproductions done.  I found one website that had a link for anybody wanting to sell art by this artist.  I filled out the query and within 2 minutes my phone rang.  I spoke with the grandson-in-law of the artist (she died in '06) and explained what I had.  He said "That's like finding a Stradivarius at a garage sale".  My heart skipped a beat.

Fast forward to today (3 months later) and I'm still sitting on the one painting (the other is too damaged to be worth much).  The main gallery I've been in contact with only wants it on consignment.  I want the cash.  On consignment it would go for approximately $15K gallery price (60/40 split), but I'd have to invest in reframing and shipping and blah....blah....blah.....

I did research locally and our market would only go about $3500 with a 50/50 split.  We had one broker show interest, but he insulted us with a $750 offer.

I've remained in contact with the gallery in Santa Fe (where the artist is from).  I've been told that if I craigslist it, it would be the kiss of death as far as galleries are concerned.  Auctions will not get me what I want out of it.

I hate the thought of driving to Santa Fe only to find it will need to be reframed and put on consignment and I'm out all that money (times are very tight right now for us) and have to wait however long to recoup.......

I've been mulling this one over for a while now and thought I'd see how others would handle it.
I'd love the 60% of 15K, but to be honest......I'd rather have $3500 now~
Anybody ever deal fine art on craigslist?