Authenticity Education
AUTHENTIC THOMAS KINKADE STUDIOS ARTWORK
The Thomas Kinkade Studios is proud to offer our collectors beautiful and inspirational works of art that were created with Thomas Kinkade’s vision of Sharing the Light. Authentic Thomas Kinkade Studios Artwork is hand-crafted in the United States using high-quality materials and world-class workmanship. All of our offerings are made-to-order and ethically sourced. Genuine Thomas Kinkade Studios Artwork is sold exclusively through a network of authorized Thomas Kinkade Studios Galleries and specialty partners and retailers.
COUNTERFEIT THOMAS KINKADE STUDIOS ARTWORK
Counterfeiting has been linked to terrorism, organized crime, and child labor exploitation, and it has been estimated that global losses due to counterfeiting exceed $600 Billion. Counterfeit copies of Thomas Kinkade Studios pieces are replicas or imitations that are aimed at misleading consumers into believing they are purchasing Authentic Thomas Kinkade Studios Artwork. They are typically of poor quality, are mass-produced using questionable practices, and lack the fine details that are hallmarks of the Thomas Kinkade Studios brand.
THE ROLE OF THE THOMAS KINKADE STUDIOS
The Thomas Kinkade Studios is the only publisher of Authentic Thomas Kinkade and Thomas Kinkade Studios Limited Edition and Open Edition wall art. We also license Thomas Kinkade and Thomas Kinkade Studios images to authorized partners for use on approved gift items, stationery and specialty products.
CERTIFICATES OF AUTHENTICITY
Authentic Thomas Kinkade Studios Limited Edition and Open Edition artwork bears a variety of distinctive attributes. Limited Edition Prints are sold with individually numbered (seal number) Certificates of Authenticity, and most Open Edition offerings are sold with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA). For a full description of Thomas Kinkade Studios Limited Edition Artwork and edition attributes, visit our Limited Edition page. For a full description of Thomas Kinkade Studios Open Edition categories and attributes look for the particular item specifications in our online shop. The Thomas Kinkade Studios does not track Limited Edition ownership. In order to ensure the integrity of the Limited Edition Program, the company has maintained a policy not to replace lost, damaged, or destroyed Certificates of Authenticity. As such, we urge our collectors to safeguard the COA upon receiving your Artwork.
LICENSED COLLECTIBLES
The Thomas Kinkade Studios has long-standing partnerships with a group of world-class manufacturers, publishers and specialty gift companies. Together we have developed a wide assortment of products embellished with the art of Thomas Kinkade Studios. Each licensed partner has a set of rigorous Quality Assurance and authenticity standards. For a full list of partners, visit our Licensed Partners page.
COUNTERFEIT MONITORING & AUTHENTICATION
The Thomas Kinkade Studios actively monitors stores, art galleries, websites, vendors, and flea markets, and pursues counterfeiters. We work with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as U.S. and foreign customs officials, to stop the sale of imitation Thomas Kinkade Studios images and prosecute counterfeiters. Report counterfeiters here.
The Thomas Kinkade Studios does not authenticate artwork. If you purchase Thomas Kinkade Studios art directly from us, an Authorized Thomas Kinkade Dealer, or an Authorized Thomas Kinkade Specialty Retailer, you are guaranteed that the artwork is authentic.
WHERE TO BUY AUTHENTIC THOMAS KINKADE ART
The only way to guarantee that you are receiving an Authentic Thomas Kinkade Limited Edition or Open Edition piece is by making your purchase from one of the following:
BUYING THOMAS KINKADE STUDIOS ARTWORK ONLINE
The only online stores owned and operated by the Thomas Kinkade Studios that sell authentic Thomas Kinkade Studios Art are:
Hi, I was left a painting by my grandmother because I loved it when I was younger.
Thomas Kinkade Light in the storm. The painting does have TK signature as well as John 3:16
Due to the frame I can not see where it is numbered. I do not want to ruin the print. I do remember it being such a big deal as a kid when my Grandpa bought it for her as she absolutely loved lighthouses. How can I tell if it is real or not?
Hello Manda,
Do you have the certificate of authenticity with the artwork?
Kate
I would like to know where I can get the value of my collections for insurance purposes
Hello Rita,
You would need to reach out to a local art appraiser. If you have a Thomas Kinkade Studios Gallery near you, they might be able to recommend local art appraisers for you.
You can check our Gallery Locator page here for a gallery near you https://thomaskinkade.com/galleries/
Kate
Hi, I’m writing for my friend who purchased a framed piece from a La-Z-Boy Retailer about 20 years ago for about $750. She was wondering if her artwork is authentic or a duplicate, or if it’s worth anything now? She also never received a certificate of authenticity. How can she find out if it’s an original?
Hello Mercy,
Most likely it is a reproduction of an original piece of artwork that was done by Thomas Kinkade. She could reach out to a local art appraiser and have an appraisal done to find the value of her piece.
Kate
Hi Kate. We have been looking for it as we are going through all her things. She isn’t here for me to ask anymore. I do not want to mess the framing up by trying to take it a part to see. Are their other ways to authenticate?
Hello Manda,
Without the certificate of authenticity, it is difficult to tell what she has. You could reach out to a local art appraiser and see if they offer services to authenticate the artwork.
Kate
Hi! I work for a museum and we were donated a signed Thomas Kinkade lithograph for a silent auction. Before we sell the piece we would like to confirm it is authentic. Could I talk to someone about verifying its authenticity? Thank you so much!
Hello Priscilla,
I’m sorry, but we do not authenticate the artwork here at the publisher. Did it come with a certificate of authenticity? Could you reach out to the person who donated the piece to you and see if it was purchased from an authorized Thomas Kinkade Dealer or authorized Thomas Kinkade Specialty Retailer? If so, you would know it is an authentic piece. You could reach out to a local art appraiser and see if they offer services to authenticate artwork and then have them take a look at the piece to authenticate it for you.
Kate
Hello – I have a Library Edition framed print of The Autumn Gate. Without COA, where can I locate the number of the print?
Hello Leanne,
The Library Edition pieces are not numbered pieces. They are an open edition piece.
Kate
hello,
I have the certificate of Authenticity, is there place to look online for them?
Thank you
Sandra
Hello Sandra,
I’m not sure I’m understanding what you are looking for. This website you are on now is the publisher of the Thomas Kinkade artwork and is a great resource. Do you have the artwork with your certificate of authenticity? What kind of information are you looking for?
Kate
Hi there! I work at an organization for foster care and adoption. Someone donated framed Disney paintings and I was just wondering how to tell if they are athletic or not.
Hello Michelle,
If you have your certificates of authenticities, that will tell you if the piece are authentic Thomas Kinkade pieces. If you do not have the certificates, it can be hard to tell exactly what you have and if they are authentic or not. We do not provide authentication services here at the publisher, however an art appraiser in your area may offer those services. You could do a search for art appraisers in your area and reach out and ask them if they can authenticate artwork. Or reach out to local art galleries and see if they have recommendations for art appraisers in the area.
Kate
Hello! I recently received a painting from a condominium I purchased all the furnishings too. I believe it is an original Kincaid but not sure how to tell. It has a COA on the back with the certificate numbers reading: ADF 014656. How/where can I check these numbers and/or the painting to verify its an authentic Kincaid? Thanks!
Hello Brandon,
There is no place that you can check those numbers on our website, and we do not provide authentication services here at the publisher. That could just be the number on the seal, which is not searchable in our system. You could reach out to a local art appraiser and see if they offer authentication services and if they would be able to authenticate your artwork. A search online can usually find art appraisers nearby or reaching out to a local art gallery and asking if they have recommendations on local art appraisers is another good resource.
Kate
Hi Kate, I have a certified print of Christmas at the Courthouse. The print number is 2336/2950. Is there a way to find its value?
Hello Lorri,
A quick way to check the value of your painting is right here on our website and search for the title, size, and edition of your painting. You can use the search feature and type in your image name. If your limited edition piece is still available, click into it like you want to purchase it today. Select your same size, edition and frame to see what we sell it for brand new today. You can use that as a general idea of value. If you do not find your exact piece, it has sold out. You can then select another image that is available in your size and edition. You could then use what we sell your size and edition brand new for today as a general idea of value for your piece.
If you need a formal appraisal for your insurance company, there are many factors that are part of an art appraisal especially when a painting is sold out, including edition, size, frame choice, condition, image availability, and the local art market. The best source for assistance in obtaining a third-party appraisal is a local appraisal firm in your area. Local appraising firms understand the secondary art market in your region and have the ability to give you the best estimate of value for your Thomas Kinkade Limited Edition Artwork. Doing a search online for art appraisers in your area or reaching out to local art galleries are good places to start when searching for an art appraiser in your area.
Kate
Kate
Hello, I have a A/P print of the The Little Mermaid II. It was purchased from an authorized dealer. Since ours is numbered 2/10, how is it possible to have these still selling on the website? I have compared the size and edition.
Hello Mike,
Because they are still available. They have not sold out. We only mark items as sold out once all of the certificates have been sold. Until that time, the piece will still show on our website as available to purchase.
Kate
My Mom has a few Kinkades. About 25 years ago I took her to a Kinkade gallery they had at our Mall. They highlighted or enhanced one painting. Does that lower the value???
Hello Mare,
That would really be a question for an art appraiser, but I do not think it would lower the value to the artwork. I am not an art appraiser, so I can not say with 100% certainty though.
Kate
I bought 3 Thomas Kinkade paintings with COA’s attached. All 3 were professionally framed. One of the frames has an art label attached that has the name of the painting. There are markings on the liner that indicates to me that the other 2 frames had them at one time. I was told by the framer that these plates come from the company. Can you buy replacements?
Hello Theresa,
I’m sorry, but we do not sell the nameplates. I have sent you an email as well with some other information.
Kate