The 'Lifetime Posters'
WHAT DOES THE TERM "LIFETIME" MEAN AND HOW DOES IT AFFECT VALUE?
In the academic community, in assessing the contribution Nagel made to the history of the graphic arts,
scholars will judge what the artist actually completed DURING HIS LIFE. As a consequence, those are works
that will be considered valuable, both in the general marketplace and at auction, in other words, those
that were created while Nagel was living.
Any other works, i.e., those created or printed after his life, (posthumously), will never be worth what the 'lifetime' prints will AND IN FACT WILL HAVE VERY LITTLE VALUE AT ALL.
In addition, the status of whether the print is actually signed by the artist, will add a great deal of value to the print. ALL OF NAGEL'S POSTERS had both a signed and an unsigned state. For a definition of some of these terms, hit the 'terms' link to the left.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A POSTER AND A LIMITED EDITION? Go here.
Mirage
1981 \ 250 s/n; 40 a/p \ 40 s/p (w/o letters) \ 1200 unsigned
One of the most sought-after images, and at the height of the frenzied secondary market, this print (the 'special proof' version) was trading for over $3,000. It was certainly one of the most haunting, with the devil-like ears and piercing gaze. Shown here is the 'special proof' with no letters. The lettered version had the word 'Mirage'in small letters running vertically to the right of the model's left ear.
the "Nagel" Nagel
1983 \ 250 s/n \ 40 s/p; 3 p/p \ 1200 unsigned
This image was extremely popluar and one of the more sought-after compositions Nagel did, if a little specious -- the image gave in to the market's desire for more and more salacious images from him. The same image was also used as a larger, limited edition graphic, entitled "Kristen." which included the exposed left breast of the model. The same model (a blond) was used for the large "Cleo." Very sexy print.
the "Nagel" Nagel
1983 \250 s/n \ 40 ap/s \ 3 p/ps \ 2500 Unsigned
When this image was released, we recollect that (approx) 1000 of the 2500 unsigned prints were made available through Playboy Magazine. Evidently, Playboy had several hundred thousand requests for them. Again, this was a piece that brought big money almost immediately on the secondary market, even before Nagel's death. A great image, only Nagel would have the nerve to allow the model's head to protrude out of the border of the design (something he was famous for).
Malke Sage
1981 \ 250 s/n \ 40 a/p \ 1000 unsigned Unsigned
When this image was released, (I believe) 1000 of the 2500 unsigned prints were made available through Playboy Magazine. There were a several hundred thousand requests for them. Again, a piece that broguht big money almost immediately on the secondary market. A great image, only Nagel would have the nerve to allow the model's head to protrude out of the border of the design (something he was famous for).
Lorraine
1981\ 250 s/n \ 40 a/p \ 1100 unsigned
An under-appreciated poster, Lorraine is classic Nagel. The flower and bird design augmenting the lines of the model, setting the soft tone of the composition. Lorraine never sold well, but it's one of our favorites and is really what Nagel was all about (in talking with him, he didn't seem all that wild with the bigger, glitzier prints that came later.)
Piedmont Graphics
1982 \ 250 s/n \ 1200 unsigned
This image has a dark green background and is deceptively simple. Great graphic image, but back in the day, it wasn't that well received when compared to the more sensual compositions, but it shows the vintage Nagel design sense as well as his interest in Japonisme.)
Art Expo NY
1980 \ 250 s/n \ Open edition lithograph
This image was done for the Art Expo art fair still held in the Big Apple today. Note that it is a lithograph, not a serigraph (one of only three lifetime posters printed using that medium). It did have a s/n limited edition state but was also released as an open edition and probably 10,000 of them have been sold. A great, GREAT Nagel composition (almost too bad in was released in such large quantities).
Art Expo CAL
1980 \ 250 s/n \ Open edition lithograph
Like the Expo NY, this was one of only three, 'lifetime' posters which were not serigraphs, this print was done as an 'off-set litho.' The unsigned version was 'open', i.e., no one knows how many were printed, but best guess is tens of thousands. No matter, it is a great image. Limited Edition, s/n version is somewhat rare..
Yochum/Kay
Yochum-Kay 1981 \ 250 s/n \ 30 a/p \ 1200 unsigned
This image was named for Susan Kay and Carol Yochum (now Cooper) who both worked at Mirage during the glory years. "Yoke" (who is, by the way, one of the world's great people) went on to represent artist, Dennis Mukai, who was to have been the heir apparent to Nagel. She published his work under the aegis of Virtu Publishersuntil she folding the company in the late '90's to begin teaching
Swimmers
1979 \ 250 s/n \ 40 a/p \ 1000 unsigned \ one progressive s/n \ three doubles s.i.s. \ 10 doubles s/n
This image was an early example of Nagel's brilliant design and color sense. His repitition of the three images, if not ground-breaking (since Warhol had used it, of course) was frequently emulated by other artists after this was published, in a lot of illustration and design. Just a lovely poster, devoid of typography. (for a definition of "progressive" and "doubles" go here...
