I did very well out of le's during the silly season in the early '90s. The main problem was that publishers got greedy and killed the golden goose.
Many artists work was sold out prior to printing. Work it out: An edition of 1500 with a trade price about 100GBP. 150K. I remember a Bev Doolittle
with a 'time limited' edition of 69000.
Big profits.
At one time the publication of a new print was an occasion. But the announcement of a new one before you got the previous one unpacked took the
gilt off the gingerbread. Plus, dealers used to squirrel them away for a few weeks until the prices climbed - which created a false 'shortage' which made
them climb higher. Eventually the bubble burst and dealers quickly unloaded all their prints (including moi). Loads on the market. I had collectors
bringing them in expecting me to buy them back. There are one or two today that are worth having, but most you would struggle to give away.
I can't remember the last time I had an enquiry about a le print.
An artist customer of mine does do canvas prints limited to 50. And gets good money for them. 50 is what I call limited.
A little anecdote. Back in the day I saw a copy of David Shepherd's
Burning Bright (Tiger) in a local gallery window. Price 300GBP. I thought about buying it, but it wasn't there
next time I looked. About six months later it re-appeared priced 900. It was the same copy as I remembered the number. The following week someone smashed
their (huge very expensive plate glass) window and stole it.
Shouldn't laugh.