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The Black Market: A guide to art collecting
Art collecting can be time-consuming, complicated and confusing for the beginner... ...but it doesn't have to be. In this clear and easy-to-follow guide, learn the necessary knowledge and skills to begin building your own art collection. Art is the purest form of hope, dreams, and sentiments. A single image can reveal long-held secrets, spark the imagination, offer a sense of belonging and home. Art conveys the words the artist often might not have been able to speak aloud. In, The Black Market: A guide to art collecting , Charles, a long-time art collector and art historian, introduces novice collectors and would be collectors to the art world, its deep roots, its connections to our pasts, and its hopes for our future. In the first part of the book, you'll discover the history of African American art and will find essays born in the decades between 1900 - 1990; fascinating lecture reviews on books and exhibition catalogs that invite art enthusiasts to explore the culture, the storied lives, the simplicity, and the everyday struggles and triumphs of the African American experience. The final sections of the book offer insights and tips about the business side of becoming an art collector. You'll find an overview of storage, collection management, a glossary of terms, and the all-important guide to insurance for your collection and interviews featuring prominent art advisors and collectors like Hill Harper and Keith Rivers. If you ever wanted to become a collector, wanted to learn more about the African American art, or want to deepen your knowledge, The Black Market: A guide to art collecting is a fascinating, immersive, and essential guide to developing a meaningful and awe-inspiring collection.
204 pages, Hardcover
Published September 14, 2020
8 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Charles Moore
7 booksCharles Moore has published work on the subject of contemporary arts and related topics on Artnet, Artsy, and Cultured Magazine, and many other places. Based in New York City, he graduated from Harvard University and currently a doctoral student at Columbia University. For more information, please visit http://charlessmoore.com.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 11, 2020
This (5*) rating has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that Charles is my nephew. Honestly.
October 19, 2020
Drawing from his own experience of a collector, writer, and scholar in the field of modern and contemporary African-American art, Moore offers a unique take on traversing the art world in his compelling latest.
Moore addresses key facts and basics of art collecting, including the need to visit art galleries and museums, attending art fairs and exhibitions, collecting books, and understanding the economics of owing art. From providing the basic information about how to navigate the art market, to outlining the academic and material culture collecting practices that centers African-American artists, collectors, curators, and art advisors, Moore offers intelligent insights into the highly lucrative art market.
Moore handles the African-American art and the narratives of Black artists with precision and understanding, skillfully capturing the renaissance of African American art throughout the twentieth century.
Filled with revealing details and memorable art world personalities, Moore’s guide is a must-read for both novice and seasoned art collectors.
Moore addresses key facts and basics of art collecting, including the need to visit art galleries and museums, attending art fairs and exhibitions, collecting books, and understanding the economics of owing art. From providing the basic information about how to navigate the art market, to outlining the academic and material culture collecting practices that centers African-American artists, collectors, curators, and art advisors, Moore offers intelligent insights into the highly lucrative art market.
Moore handles the African-American art and the narratives of Black artists with precision and understanding, skillfully capturing the renaissance of African American art throughout the twentieth century.
Filled with revealing details and memorable art world personalities, Moore’s guide is a must-read for both novice and seasoned art collectors.
December 22, 2025
I just finished The Black Market by Charles Moore, and honestly, it’s such a cool guide for anyone who wants to start collecting art. At first, I thought art collecting sounded complicated and kind of scary, but this book makes it really clear and easy to follow.
What I loved most is how it explains the history of African American art from 1900 to 1990. The essays and reviews show not just the art itself, but the lives of the artists and the struggles and successes of their communities. It really made me realize how much stories and emotions are packed into each piece of art, sometimes the artist says more through a painting than words ever could.
The book also goes into the practical side of collecting, which I think is super helpful. It talks about storage, managing a collection, insurance, and even includes interviews with collectors and advisors like Hill Harper and Keith Rivers. It shows that anyone can collect art and that it’s not just for super-rich people or big museums. A piece you connect with at a small art fair can be just as meaningful as one sold at a huge auction.
The only small things I noticed were a few editing issues and that I would have liked a mention of the repatriation debate for big museums, but honestly, that didn’t take away from how interesting and useful the book is.
Overall, The Black Market is fascinating, educational, and really inspiring. It makes you want to learn more, follow the artists, and maybe even start your own collection someday. I definitely recommend it if you love art, history, or just want to understand how collecting works.
What I loved most is how it explains the history of African American art from 1900 to 1990. The essays and reviews show not just the art itself, but the lives of the artists and the struggles and successes of their communities. It really made me realize how much stories and emotions are packed into each piece of art, sometimes the artist says more through a painting than words ever could.
The book also goes into the practical side of collecting, which I think is super helpful. It talks about storage, managing a collection, insurance, and even includes interviews with collectors and advisors like Hill Harper and Keith Rivers. It shows that anyone can collect art and that it’s not just for super-rich people or big museums. A piece you connect with at a small art fair can be just as meaningful as one sold at a huge auction.
The only small things I noticed were a few editing issues and that I would have liked a mention of the repatriation debate for big museums, but honestly, that didn’t take away from how interesting and useful the book is.
Overall, The Black Market is fascinating, educational, and really inspiring. It makes you want to learn more, follow the artists, and maybe even start your own collection someday. I definitely recommend it if you love art, history, or just want to understand how collecting works.
October 19, 2020
Full of amusing stories and surprises for both specialists and general readers, Moore’s excellent guide on navigating the complex world of Black art is a gem.
Moore offers a uniquely close-up view of 20th-century black art history, with emphasis on renowned artists as he profiles ten Black artists born in the last one hundred years, dating from the early 1900s to 1990s. Arguing that the art world does not differ from the stock market, he stresses on the need of understanding the economics of owing art.
Moore discusses how collecting books, attending shows and art fairs, and visiting galleries and museums can help collectors understand art and develop the ability to identify emerging artists. Drawing from his own experience and the experience and interviews of renowned and successful artists, collectors, and art advisors for the art market of Black artists, the book provides possibilities for those with limited knowledge of art collection.
Through descriptions of art exhibitions and art fairs, the real-life, compelling stories of dealers, curators, artists, and collectors such as Renee Cox, Hill Harper, Alitash Kebebe as well as various methods and resources for educating readers on art and art market in general, this intelligently crafted book is relevant to both newcomers and seasoned collectors alike.
Moore offers a uniquely close-up view of 20th-century black art history, with emphasis on renowned artists as he profiles ten Black artists born in the last one hundred years, dating from the early 1900s to 1990s. Arguing that the art world does not differ from the stock market, he stresses on the need of understanding the economics of owing art.
Moore discusses how collecting books, attending shows and art fairs, and visiting galleries and museums can help collectors understand art and develop the ability to identify emerging artists. Drawing from his own experience and the experience and interviews of renowned and successful artists, collectors, and art advisors for the art market of Black artists, the book provides possibilities for those with limited knowledge of art collection.
Through descriptions of art exhibitions and art fairs, the real-life, compelling stories of dealers, curators, artists, and collectors such as Renee Cox, Hill Harper, Alitash Kebebe as well as various methods and resources for educating readers on art and art market in general, this intelligently crafted book is relevant to both newcomers and seasoned collectors alike.
August 23, 2022
The Black Market: A Guide to Art Collecting by Charles Moore is a non-fiction self-help novice's guide to the world of art collection. Moore breaks down the stories of individual black artists and collectors; their contributions, motivations, impact, and drives. There's no question that for most people, even the idea of art collecting is intimidating. This applies to lovers of art and those who have little more than a passing interest, which is exactly why this book and what Charles Moore details are so very important.
Author Charles Moore has crafted a fantastic beginners book for would-be collectors who have long admired black art from afar but do not yet have the skills to step into the world of collecting. One of the things which I particularly enjoyed about the guidebook section of the work was the fact that it truly can be accessed by anyone at any knowledge level, thanks to Moore’s friendly narrative style, which uses clear formatting, and syntax as well as avoids too much jargon. The history section provides a wonderful exploration into one very special and meaningful area of the art world that needs to be celebrated much more, and this is penned in such inspiring and informative tones that it will be sure to excite would-be collectors as well as prepare them. Overall, I would certainly recommend The Black Market: A Guide to Art Collecting for those who need it.
Author Charles Moore has crafted a fantastic beginners book for would-be collectors who have long admired black art from afar but do not yet have the skills to step into the world of collecting. One of the things which I particularly enjoyed about the guidebook section of the work was the fact that it truly can be accessed by anyone at any knowledge level, thanks to Moore’s friendly narrative style, which uses clear formatting, and syntax as well as avoids too much jargon. The history section provides a wonderful exploration into one very special and meaningful area of the art world that needs to be celebrated much more, and this is penned in such inspiring and informative tones that it will be sure to excite would-be collectors as well as prepare them. Overall, I would certainly recommend The Black Market: A Guide to Art Collecting for those who need it.
September 9, 2022
In these pages, lavishly illustrated with number of works by a wide range of artists, readers will find practical guidelines for becoming an informed collector, including specific criteria for working with dealers. By providing succinct advice on art management and planning, author Charles Moore makes collecting an enjoyable for everyone.
Combining a rich and diverse blend of aesthetic traditions from Africa and African American art has emerged as the most actively collected art in the marketplace. This guide presents both emerging and established artists and identifies dealers throughout the nation specializing in the field. Insightful and accessible, it is the first book to define the role of the collector of African American art. The result is a unique and essential guide to developing a meaningful and rewarding collection.
Combining a rich and diverse blend of aesthetic traditions from Africa and African American art has emerged as the most actively collected art in the marketplace. This guide presents both emerging and established artists and identifies dealers throughout the nation specializing in the field. Insightful and accessible, it is the first book to define the role of the collector of African American art. The result is a unique and essential guide to developing a meaningful and rewarding collection.
August 28, 2022
With the rapid and unprecedented global expansion of the art market, new collectors are emerging every day. When buying art, whether for pure enjoyment, for investment or some other motive, few art collectors consider the practical and financial implications of owning and maintaining art, and many do not have a plan for how they might eventually dispose of it. This book, The Black Market: A Guide to Art Collecting by Charles Moore probing a number of resources and incorporating advice, offers guidance on art collection, and serves as an important reference guide for collectors and those who are interested in black artists. Highly recommended.
August 24, 2022
I keep recommending The Black Market: A Guide to Art Collecting. Charles Moore has created a wonderful introduction to collecting Black fine art and tools for expanding their knowledge and interest. He makes collecting more accessible for for those just beginning their journey as well as provides expertise and thought leadership for those farther along.
All collectors should read and keep this book on their shelves.
All collectors should read and keep this book on their shelves.
March 31, 2023
More of a crash course into the art world than an actual guide to collecting. It was a little obvious that the book had evolved from a paper in college because of lapses in sentences and references to graphs that didn’t exist in the book. The best part of the book was its survey on art collectors, which unfortunately should have been the majority of the book. I’d recommend for anyone trying to learn about the art world in general.
February 19, 2021
Wow! What a book. I never saw such an excellent book. I think the author had made lot of efforts to write this. This is an excellent book for art collector. I think the author had made lot of research on arts to provide such a beautiful content
Highly recommend
Highly recommend
February 20, 2021
The Black Market is of the best books that I had read. Its totally based on the arts it is most useful to the people those who want to enter into the field of art collections. They learn a lot of things through this book.
February 20, 2021
Great book by the author for the art collectors. This will be very helpful for them. Iam also an art collector and I loved this book a lot. Thanks for the author for providing such a beautiful book for us.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2021
The Black Market is of the best books that I had read. Its totally based on the arts it is most useful to the people those who want to enter into the field of art collections. They learn a lot of things through this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2022
I would have appreciated if this book included pictures.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews