Warehouse Is a Little-Known Art Source

If you have admired the art displayed in the lobby of the Valley Hilton or in the St. James’ Club on Sunset Boulevard, you may be surprised to learn that the source is a little warehouse in Northridge.

I have missed visiting Edward Weston Fine Arts warehouse, which has been in business for 23 years, because it is not usually open Saturdays, the day I research the San Fernando Valley. But I got lucky on my last try and found the owner working overtime.

Edward Weston gave me a thorough tour of the racks, sleeves and bins, pointing out various displays and giving a brief history of his company and a mini-course in art appreciation.

Weston’s hobby became his profession, and he loves to teach the neophyte about art, imparting such tidbits as how a particular method of printing is done. Weston wants customers to allow plenty of time when they visit his warehouse so that he or a member of his staff can provide as much information as possible. For the beginning art buyer, this can be an invaluable trip.

During the week, Edward Weston Fine Arts warehouse is a beehive of activity because about 90% of its business is shipping art to galleries. Clerks are taking wholesale orders and shipping to galleries all over the world, including Japan and Europe.

You’ll find artwork ranging from sculpture and $10 posters to paintings and prints by big names: Picasso, Chagall, Dali, Miro, Matisse, Hockney, LeRoy Neiman, Warhol, Norman Rockwell, G. H. Rothe, Charles Bragg, Degas and Toulouse Lautrec are some of the artists whose works I spotted. Originals and lithographs, textured graphics and sculptures are available, as is an inventory of Hollywood glamour photos from the 1920s and ‘30s.

Weston said he houses a large collection of Marilyn Monroe graphics and original photography. Photographer Andre deDienes shot more than 2,000 photos of Monroe, and his widow brought Weston the entire collection.

Because 1992 is the 30th anniversary of Monroe’s death, Weston is making these never-before-seen shots available. Photos from the estate are being sold in small numbers, priced from $500 to $3,000 each. Posters sell for $30.

As an art publisher, Weston sells to galleries out of the Los Angeles market, so the prices on many of his pieces are a tad over wholesale to the local consumer. The works of artists represented by Weston either now or in the past are priced low compared with other galleries.

For example, posters by Melanie Taylor Kent, originally published by Weston, are an excellent buy. Her foil-embossed Statue of Liberty posters are $50. Joffrey Ballet, Atlantic City Boardwalk and Hollywood Boulevard are $30 each.

Edward Weston Fine Arts, 19355 Business Center Drive, Northridge. Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, evenings and Saturdays by appointment. MasterCard/Visa and American Express. Poster catalogue free. (818) 885-1044.

Geri Cook’s Bargains column runs every Thursday in Valley View. Questions about shopping may be sent to her, in care of Valley View, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311. Letters will not be answered individually, but topics of general interest will be discussed in future columns.