Dick Butkus Signed Limited Edition Print by Daniel Smith Appraisal
Category: Sports Memorabilia
Description
This item is a framed limited edition print depicting legendary football player Dick Butkus in his Chicago Bears uniform. The print is housed within a black frame with a dark red inner accent border, and matted with what appears to be a textured, off-white, double-layer mat board. The image itself captures Butkus in a classic pose, wearing his dark football jersey with the number '51' prominently displayed on the front, along with off-white football pants that show signs of dirt and grass stains, indicating a dynamic, in-game representation. He is also wearing a dark helmet with a white face mask and what appears to be a 'C' logo on the side. His expression is intense, characteristic of his playing style. Below the main image, the print is signed by 'Dick Butkus' and 'Daniel Smith', likely the artist, and is numbered '97/500', indicating it is the 97th print out of a limited run of 500. The signatures and numbering are consistent with authentic limited edition sports art. The overall condition appears to be good, with no visible rips, tears, or significant discoloration to the print itself. There is some glare on the glass of the frame in the provided image, but no obvious damage to the framing or matting is discernible. The style suggests it is a modern sports art print, likely produced in the late 20th or early 21st century. The craftsmanship of the framing appears professional, enhancing the presentation of the collectible.
Appraisal Report
Upon my virtual examination of the Dick Butkus Signed Limited Edition Print by Daniel Smith, I find the overall condition to be very good. The print itself appears well-preserved, with no visible signs of fading, tears, or creasing from the provided image. The framing, with its black frame, red inner accent, and double-layer textured matting, presents professionally and enhances the display. The numbering '97/500' confirms its limited-edition status, a key factor in collectible value. The signatures of Dick Butkus and Daniel Smith appear to be authentic based on typical examples of their autographs, though I must stress that definitive authenticity of signatures from images alone is not possible. For full authentication, a forensic examination by a certified autograph authenticator (e.g., PSA/DNA, JSA) would be required, along with provenance documentation such as a certificate of authenticity (COA) from the artist or original seller. Market conditions for sports art, particularly featuring iconic players like Dick Butkus, remain stable. Limited edition prints, especially those signed by both the subject and the artist, hold a premium over unsigned versions or open editions. The demand for Butkus memorabilia is consistent among Chicago Bears and NFL collectors. Rarity is moderate due to the 500-piece edition size. Factors positively impacting value include the iconic nature of Butkus, the quality of the art, and the dual signatures. Conversely, the absence of a visible third-party authentication sticker or COA slightly reduces immediate market confidence. If the signatures were professionally authenticated, the value would likely be at the higher end of the range.
Appraisal Value
$400-600