The "CN" posters

"Commemorative" Nagels

After Nagel's very abrupt and unexpected death in 1984, his publisher, Mirage Editions, went on to produce a series of "commemorative" graphics. some of which were being earmarked for future release as signed and numbered prints. They were printed in large editions, in an attempt to satisfy the demand, and were large, beautiful serigraphs, printed by Samper Silkscreen in Los Angeles. They are what they are: posthumous reproductions. And as such, they have little investment value. They are, however, high quality prints and wonderful examples of Patrick's work and brilliance.

That's The Good News

Unfortunately, there was also a lot of "investment hype" about these prints and many people were duped into paying thousands of dollars for them. They are now only worth a 10th of that in most cases. In addition, there were a LOT of posthumous graphics done of both new images and previously released limited editions. These were printed as offset posters and were not limited in supply, but rather 'open' edition posters. As a result, there is some confusion as to why, as an example, there is "GrayLady" that sells for thousands of dollars, and another of the same title that sells for $30. At TBFA we deal in only 'lifetime' Nagel graphics or in some cases, the CN series you see here. Some of those later lithographs were legitimately published by Nagel's widow, Jennifer Dumas. Others are just out and out fakes.

CN1 "Nagel"

Serigraph, Posthumous, 3500 printed

At the time of Pat's death, this image was in the Mirage "pipeline"ready to be rolled out as the next limited edition graphic. Some say that is the reason it seems to have more value on the market today, as do the other of the first five CNs.
CN #2 "Palm Springs Life"

Posthumous, 4000 print

At the time of Pat's death, this, too, was in the Mirage pipeline to be the next graphic. It was very hotly sought-after right up until 1992, when it was discovered that thousands and thousands of fraudulent copies of the print were discovered in a garage in New Mexico by the FBI. Be very careful of your source on this print, if you find one, most of them on the market today are fakes.
CN#3 "Piedmont Graphics, "Sushi Girl""

quantity unknown

The Sushi, too, was one frequently forged. It is not known how many were originally printed of these, but best guess is up to five thousand. This image was taken from a cover for a Chicago 'city' magazine assignment that Pat had done, featuring the model with chopsticks. It was also released in Japan as a lower end litho. FYI, there isa band across the bottom in the actual poster reading, "Piedmont Graphics>"
CN#4 (Untitled, cross-legged model)

4800 (?) printed

By this time, the phenomenon and frenzy for the CNs had begun to run wild. The Nagel book indicated 5000 of these, but one wonders how many reprints were done. The notable aspect of this image was the absence of any typography: Mirage wanted these to resemble the larger, lifetime limited editions published during Nagel's life, to increase perceived value. In our experience, we don't know of this poster being counterfeited.
CN #5 "B1 Gallery"

Posthumous, 3500 printed

B-1 gallery was a hole-in-the-wall space in Santa Monica near Venice beach. The owner, a friend of Pat's and as well as the publisher at Mirage, managed to get this poster named after his gallery and not suprisingly, sold a LOT of Nagels. He went on the become a very prominent and visible dealer in the toney contemporary LA art world.
CN #6

Posthumous, 5000 printed

Kind of a weird poster from Nagel. We get the inference we were supposed to take away -- and with it, we suppose the social commentary -- with the contrast between the rough glove and the feminine choker. But we were never sure if it is a golf glove or a weight lifter's glove or.... what?
CN #7 Gallery in the Courtyard

Posthumous, 5000 printed

Bill Goldberg, a dealer who we believe is still operating on La Brea street in LA, owned this little "Gallery in the Courtyard." It was a small space on shabby chic Melrose Avenue in L.A. Although not on Melrose anymore, the gallery is still in business. One of the great CN images.
CN #8 ("Yellow Sweater")

Serigraph, Posthumous, 3500 printed

Great colorful poster; the type was usually cut off or matted over. The words, "Tower Graphics" appeared in a black band at the bottom. Back in the day, Tower Graphics, with multiple gallery locations, wielded quite a bit of influence in the more commercial ranks of the art gallery business.
CN #9 "D.Genero Gallery"

Serigraph, Posthumous, 3500 printed

Diane Genero was a dealer in Marine del Rey, CA whose gallery was not far from Mirage Edition's offices. She also supported the Nagel program from early on and was rewarded for her efforts with her gallery's name on this poster.
CN #10 Posthumous, 6000 (?) printed

A nice later commemorative poster. We believe the reference material for this work might come from the same photo shoot as the (lifetime poster) Playboy 30th, seems to be the same model.
CN#11 "M=Bergin Galleries"

Posthumous, quantity unknown

Margarita Bergin's gallery in New Orleans was a staple of the street there for 30 years; we're told she finally closed the gallery, but we still run into people who knew her and talk about what a wonderful character she was.
CN#12 "Merril-Chase Galleries"

Posthumous, quantity unknown

Merril Chase galleries in Chicago did quite a bit of business with Nagel's work and it was natural that Mirage would want to 'reward' that with their own poster.
CN#13 "The Horse aka Montana"

Posthumous, quantity unknown

Don't know much about this poster except that it is pretty sought after, even today. We sell it immediately whenever we get one. Another example of Nagel's penchant for the femme fatale juxtaposed with an animal. A later CN, of course, it was nearing the last of them. The typography just says, Mirage Editions and was just an excuse to produce another poster. By this time, 1985, or so, there was just a truckload of money being made by Mirage on these.
CN#14 "Nagel"

Posthumous, quantity unknown

This poster came to refer be referred to as 'blue lips' for obvious reasons. A great image but so many were printed it's very common to see.
CN#15

Posthumous, quantity unknown

What can be said? The last of the series and seemingly a desparate last means of squeezing out yet another cash cow. As with #14 a pretty decent, if gratuitous image, but so many were printed it's very common to see.