Does anyone know anything about the best way to sell a painting?

A while back we inherited a painting by a well known Irish artist (Frank McKelvey). We know that we know is probably quite valuable but we have far more sentimental attachment to a pen & ink drawing of our foundation bitch when she was a pup! So we'd like to sell it but need info on the best way to go about it.

Go to a good auctioneer and get a free valuation - you won't be under any obligation to sell and they should advise you of the best auction to put it in. Obviously you could then sell it in Ebay etc if you didn't want to auction it - but auctions are often the way to sell these things - but beware the commission :)

Daisy

Hi Daisy, thanks for that. Do you know if it is better to use an auction house rather than offer it to a gallery? And would it be better to use an auction house in Ireland?

Don't think that a gallery would sell it - they take huge commissions I think anyway and usually are choosy about which artists they sell. Best place to start is a good auctioneer - have a look in your Yellow Pages - there may be a local agent for Bonhams, Sotheby's etc - otherwise any good one will advise you.

Daisy

There was one just sold at auction [link]http://www.whytes.ie/CurrentCatResult.asp?Search2=Frank+McKelvey&Auction=20041130&Seek2=Search [/link]
for 60,000 euro that's roughly £42,517
Hope your one is worth as much.
Good luck.
Kind regards,
Linda

sorry links not working