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When should you start documenting your art collection?

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When should you start documenting your art collection?

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The question is, when does it become risky to avoid a documentation strategy?

“No matter how much writing you have, you need to keep great records,” recommends Kimberly Mayer, spokesperson (APAA).

These records include the bill of sale, provenance, and all valuation records.

“Whether you keep [the artwork] for the rest of your life or sell it, these are important things that are an integral part of any estate planning or long-term gifts,” Mayer continues.

While it's recommended to start collecting documentation from your first art purchase, it may seem like a lot if you only have a few pieces in your collection.

We spoke with Mayer about some of the basics of managing your art collection.

While she agrees that keeping great records is an important part of any service, she notes that once you've purchased 12 items of value, a serious documentation strategy should be put in place.

"It's really more efficient to store them in a database," she advises.

A database of documents and images from your origins will be your first resource in the event of a tragic theft, fire or flood, or any unforeseen loss.

Be consistent, start small, and pick your pace of paperwork.

Get more tips on documenting your collection and tracking the provenance of documents, images, professional contacts and evaluation information in our . Sign up for Artwork Archive for free to see how our easy-to-use inventory tool can save you a lot of time and hassle.