Wood Sculpture, Paintings & Prints
The Jim Savage Art & Gift Gallery, Sioux Falls, SD (1972-2001)
Jim Savage, my father and artist was an inspiration during his life. He was driven to share the wilds of the west with others through his experiences and artworks. Growing up on a farm, during Roy Rogers and The Duke, he imagined the western cowboys’ life as his.
If you have a piece of Jim Savage’s wood sculpture, painting, drawing or print, share or request more information by posting a comment.
His work was to be on a permanent display at Center for Western Studies at Augustana College, 2001 S. Summit Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57197. The CWS has done an extension redesign of the facility creating a Western Life Research Resource Center. Their displays focus on the writings and peoples of the Plaines.
Jim Savage’s permanent display at CWS.
My father embodied “the enduring immigrant values…of an English woodcarving (Jim Savage), and…” His grandparents had come from England. Several generations later my father grew up on a farm with his parents in SD. “Voices of the Northern Plains,” a dramatic re-visioning of the core museum exhibits in the Center for Western Studies.
ArtiVentures 
Hi I recently purchased a framed print called grandpa’s old buggy at a rummage sale it is in its original frame numbered 73 of 300 in very good condition can you possible tell me of its value. I do like the print and am a fan of western art as I also have some Degrazia plaques and other western art that would compliment it nicely
I have three pieces of Jim’s work as follows:
Morris junction 1981 49/300 signed on back with black sharpie, also signed at bottom of picture as well as signed copyright (three signatures total)
Soak’n up the sunshine 1984 not numbered signed on back with black sharpie, also signed on front and lower right corner with copyright (three signatures total)
Untitled cowboy on horseback team roping with two other cowboys not on horses with grazing horse in back undated. Not numbered (Two signatures total)
All three items are in original framing.
I also have a pamphlet titled meet the artist.
Any idea of the worth of these items or any significant detail to tell me what I have.
Pictures can be taken of the items as well.
Michael, I am familiar with the prints you mentioned. There are many of these prints in private collections around the areas my father showed his artwork.
The value of his prints at this point in time has not appreciated a good amount. It depends on condition and who knows of my father’s work that is wanting to purchase.
During the time these prints were produced, Western Art was in big demand and prints were what the general public was able to purchase. The customers knew my father and appreciated having some form of my fathers’s work. The prices ranged from $5 – $250 range.
His original sculptures, watercolors and color pencils have been appreciating in value at auctions and online. It all depends on the knowledge of the my father’s work. Jim Savage loved what he did and produced many pieces in his short life time. His life as an professional full-time artist began around 1970 and ended upon his death in January, 1985. I miss him and am fortunate for brief visits from those who knew him through his artworks! CST
Did JimSavage do any civil war solders approx 9” tall around 1970
Without a photo of the piece I can not say if what you have is his.
Hi,
Cathy sent you and email back in January, 2012 about a small Horse sculpture. I am Cathy’s father. I am the one who bought the horse. My brother lived in Sioux Falls and purchased several of your fathers things.
I went with my brother to your father’s studio and he was working on this horse or was just finishing it. It was a beautiful small carving (about six inches high) and he was carving it out of a cedar “Beryl” (that is a knot) which was very dense, hard wood. I paid four hundred and some dollars back in 1974. Your father said he had carved one other horse but, as I recall, it was somewhat larger and out of normal wood. He said this carving was very , very difficult and he would not do any more horses or anything out of cedar knots (beryls). (I am probably mis-spelling “beryl” but that is what your dad called it). This is a beautiful, perfect sculpture and I treasured it for more than thirty years before giving it to my daughter.
I go through Sioux Falls frequently and will try to stop in at the museum next trip which will be later this month. My brother still has all of his Jim Savage pieces.
Duane
Duane, Winter is setting in and I am back inside and taking care of business. These brief encounters with my father’s memory are a great treasure for me.
I do not recall the horse you purchased but when I see a photo there is a genuine quality from his style of sculpting that always brings me back in time. Thank you for sharing! CST
Hello I just purchased an owl signed by Jim Savage and dated 1970.It measures 11 in.tall.What can you tell me about the value? Thanks , Eddie Johnson
Eddie,
The reproductions by Polytron were artist proofs. One or two reproductions were made of 3 different sculpture by my father, Jim Savage. Dad wasn’t satisfied with the quality or the price point per piece. He and my mother didn’t feel it would be profitable to mass produce.
What was your purchase price and are you in the Sioux Falls area? A photo would be helpful for appraisal and fun to see.
I have a carving of an owl with Jim Savage and the date 1970 on it .It also has Polytron Corp.on the carving.Do you know the value of this piece? thank you very much
We have Mount Rushmore 1983 drawing signed and a 208/450 signed Afternoon Nap framed print. Please advise what these are worth
Thank you so much.
Kenny,
The value on Jim Savage’s original sculptures have been appreciating gradually in the last couple years, from $50 for the wall caricatures to $800 for a medium sized head out of red cedar fence posts.
The value on his paintings and drawings depend largely on the local and subject matter. The value on the notecard prints, 4.25 x 5.5 is minimal. They were mainly a tourist or decorative piece. He had other SD pieces such as Mt. Rushmore and a buffalo 8×10″, black and white as a larger alternative and sold for around $25. Mass reproduction and sales have kept the secondary market very low on those pieces. His numbered color limited edition prints have not appreciated much from the purchase price. It largely depends on if the print has not faded, condition and the location you are selling the piece.
I have a reproduction of “Afternoon Nap” dated 1981 number 46/450. I got it at a yard sale. It measures about 10×12 and is in a nice wooden frame bordered by an outline. What was the original price?
Roger, thank you for rescuing “Afternoon Nap” from the rummage sale!
The original prices were all different given the matting and framing differed. For the 10×12 in question, I would guess around $25. The numbers denote the printing produced 450 quantity plus artist’s proofs. When my father was diagnosed with cancer, 18 months before his death, all of his work increased in value.
The value today is dictated by condition, location and demand. CST
I have a signed Buffalo print Jim Savage 84 and wondering the value? Thank You.
Hi Connie,
I have two carvings from 1973 – Indian Boy & Girl (6″ tall). I had the pleasure of meeting your father and have enjoyed these carvings all these years. Just curious on value of these carvings. I believe they were purchased for $300.
Holly
Also have a print sayds “Headin for the fire” signed two places on front of print and once on back has a c with a circle around it. two cowboys rustlin a calf. worth?
I was recently given a piece of art of a buffalo signed by Jim Savage 82. It has a signature in pencil also on the left of picture . I was wondering the value and maybe story behind it. Thank you, I just live it:) , Merri
Hi Connie,
I inherited from my father, a wood carving of an old lady with a very pointed nose, high cheek bones, and her hair is parted in the middle and worn as two buns on each side of her face. I’ve loved this carving for as long as I can remember. Last night I noticed (again) the signature Jim Savage ’70 and decided to google his name which led me here. Somewhere you mentioned that your father carved witches faces as a joke for your mother. I wonder if this could be one of those.
I have a cowboy with wire eye glasses, it was prior to your father painting them. It has his name and 1975 on it. I do not know if it was one of his first pieces, but I have enjoyed it for yers.
As I had mentioned before I had drawn a pincil sketch of him carving on my bufflo…do you know if he kep it?…It was quit good as I remember.
David. J. Johnson
Hi Connie,
I had the pleasure of meeting your father Augest 31st, 1978. I remember sitting on a pice of log about 24′ tall about 20″ in diameter in a small wooden building filled with Art and carvings in all stages of completion. There was pieces of wood everywhere. While waiting for your dad to fiinish the carving of a buffaloI I wanted, I drew a pencil sketch of him working on the carving. We talked for a couple of hours about all kinds of things…mostly about artistic things. He at least said he loved it and thought it was quit good …”for a rookie”…He tryed to get me to take the carving at no charge…I refused and said I would pay his normal price. He finished the carving…branded his name on it , mounted it in a small frame and signed the back. It has a code # 5BB8. The piece was done in National Black Walnut-Burl.
I paid him $110.25.( I Still have the origonal receipt # 08098 taped to the back of the carving) We sat and talked awhile longer while I finished the drawing of him and that hat of his. When we were about to leave he handed me a small package wraped in plan brown paper and said I wasn’t to open it untill I got back to Michigan…I did as he said. When I got back I opened the package and inside were (2) two framed small ink drawings of Bufflo. [They are one of my prized possions]
I offten think of your father and of the wounderful time I was fortunate to share with him. I would like to know if you still have the drawing I did of him…that would be nice to know he keep it…It was drawn on the same brown paper that his ink drawings were wraped in.
I must confess I think I got the better deal…but then that was how he was………….
I am fortunate to have these little tidbits of my father drop into my life randomly. Sounds like you had a memorable experience visiting my father and the Jim Savage Western Art and Gift Gallery in Sioux Falls, SD.
The gallery was moved to a different location several years after my father’s death and his studio is on display in a smaller version at the Center for Western Studies at Augustana College in Sioux Falls along with a large collection of his artwork.
Many people passed through his studio door in the years he was working at his sculptures and framing his paintings. Those kinds of situations are important for artists to be supported not only with compliments but with people valuing their work enough to purchase it and bring it into their homes.
I have what seems to be a resin carving of a man with beard that is bald on top of his head with a pointy nose & prominent cheek bones. It is carved with “Jim Savage 70” on the side & on the back it is carved with “Polytron Corp of va 1970”. This guy was handed down to me thru our family. We have our own name for him & he means alot to me but I am wondering do you know who he really is? Also any clue on the value of it? Thanks so much for any info!
Hi, we bought a piece in 1982, it is a framed 9″x12″ named “Manestic Watch”. It has no numbering on the back or the front. His signature is on the back. Can you tell me if this is a regular print or a limited piece?
We went to his home studio to purchase this and he signed the back while we were there. We really enjoy the Bison.
the picture i have is of a moose81c 42/450 is the number on the back
the picture is of a moose grazing
I HAVE A PICTURE OF WET LUNCH BY JIMSAVAGE81C 42/450 WAS WONDERING IF IT WAS WORTH ANYTHING REALLY LOVE AND ENJOY THE PAINTING
Hello!
I have a sculpture of a horse that was done by your father in 1974. It was done out of a wood knot. I am not sure what type of wood. My dad gave it to me and said that Jim only did two of these. My dad paid $400 for it. It is in perfect shape. What would it be worth now?
Thanks
If you have a photo it would be interesting to see the sculpture. It must be a more rare piece of his since the only horses I recall him sculpting were the caricature horses to go with his little cowboys. I don’t think they sold for $400.
I think the piece you must have is of a different nature. Work that is one of a kind is difficult in this economy to price after all it is irreplaceable. The value would be more in the Sioux Falls or SD region where he is better known. However horses are a collectible group which could increase the value as well as the Americana aspect of the piece. Thank you for sharing, Connie
I will send you a picture of it! Thanks! Cathy
I paid $15 for it.
I just got a print that was sketched boy Jim Savage. On the back it was a torn, looked like brown paper that was glued on back. I did selvage the writing on back and glued it to the frame on the back. It said Jim Savages Western Art Gallery. It said “The Old Way”
0-5 13/300. It was of a old corn sheller. Could you enlighten me further about this print. It was framed in what looked like old weathered barn wood;
As an owl collector, I snapped up an owl your dad did back in 1971. He was doing a craft show at the Western Mall as I recall. The owl is about 8 inches tall and 3-4 inches around at the base. I’m putting together an inventory of my collection and would like to know its value, if possible, and any other information you may know about his early owls.
My father’s owls were collected by many including myself. Yours is a pretty good size by the dimensions you have given. Do you recall what you paid initially? Owls continue to be collectible items. With one-of-a-kind Americana Arts and Crafts which I would consider this item to qualify, it’s value would depend on who would be interested in purchasing the piece. I would start with what you paid and feel the market out with prospective buyers.
I have a wood carving of man’s head signed by Jim Savage with number 74.
it also has the sticker of the Jim Savage’s Western Art Gallery 713 S. Cleveland Sioux Falls, S D on the bottom of it. Can you advise me what this would be worh and I coud send a picture of it is you advise me how to… thanks…
It isn’t often that I need to stop to recall the piece in question. I am not certain what piece you are referring to. I have a vague memory of a few resin sculptures my father had reproduced. Perhaps your is one of them. I would need to see a photo in order to estimate a value. Where did you pick up this piece? CST
My daughter picked it up at a garage sale. It is not a sculpture. It is a black and white pencil sketch. It is signed by Jim savage, lookes like 4/4/76. Underneath it is a capital C in a circle. Lower right also in pencil Jim Savage
13/300
Hello,
I recently found a couple of paintings done by James Savage, numbers 5 and 8 of an 8-part set. Both are pictures of rural landscapes. Number 8 is entitled: “Canadian scene painted during vacation”, and number 5 is dated August 1, 1928. On the back there is an inscription that says “highly valued” on both. On the top right corner on the back of both there are inscriptions that say (in the same hand, but different-looking ink) 2-26-55, and above that there are printed letters that say Chatham, New Jersey. What I am wondering is, are they done by him? And if so, what would be their value? Thank you,
Nicole S.
That is the first time I have been asked about the pieces you found. My father was born, raised and lived in South Dakota, 1932-1985. Best of luck finding the artist and value of your pieces. CST
My father has an extensive collection of Jim Savage art and is wanting to sell it. Please email me when your site connecting buyers and sellers is up and running.
i have a print that i just got , signed by jim savage, 1983 it dosnt say the title but its western 3 cowboys by a cooks wagon 1 cowboy is squating down by a lantern 1 is sitting on a barrel 1 is standing with his foot on a box im wondering what it might be worth if you could help me i would appreciate it very much thank you very much JOAN W.
Good to hear Joan, The print you wrote of is vaguely familiar. If it is oblong and smaller it is likely an invitation print. It would have fit in a long envelope. We had Spring and Fall art shows and dad would do a print for each show. He spoke of when he was growing up he was fascinated with cowboys. He loved to go to reenactments to photograph or participate in the rendezvous they held. He would take those images and use them for his artwork . The value depends on the finding someone knowing my father and his work. My guess would be if it is framed and an invitation print anywhere from $40 – $60. You didn’t mention a number so this print is likely an unlimited edition which brings the value down. Enjoy, Connie
I have a print that is signed by your Father of a little girl with a cowboy hat.
Bobbie,
One of my favorite prints!
My father loved to photograph his grand children. He was ill at the time this one was done and wanted to make sure he had painted both of my daughters. The one you have is of our youngest daughter. She is now in her twenties. He was a fun papa.
Being a grandmother myself, I now understand the joy he must have felt when creating this piece. Enjoy!
I have a small woodcarving of the head of an old man with a beard, an wrinkled hat, and a wire grass stalk in his mouth. It is nicely mounted on a beveled and polished old branch, and is signed “Jim Savage 74”. On the bottom of the mount, a black sticker with gold letters has “Jim Savages’ Western Art Gallery 713 s. Cleveland Sioux Falls, S.D.” on it. The head is 3″ by 2″, and the mount is about 5″ tall. I would like to know if this is one of a kind and valuable, or if dozens were cranked out with a carving duplicator. If it is one of many, I was thinking of removing the head from the mount and placing it on a very ornate hiking stick, but if it is a valuable work of art and/or an original, I certainly would not want to do that. Please advise. Thanks!
This is one of my father’s sculptures. He did each of these one by one. The finishes were all done by him and had about 6 coats to get the silky feel and protective cover.
At the time they were sold in the gallery they retailed for $25 – $35. They now would be valued from $125 – $150. My father would make these while sitting in front of a hand-held making faces at himself. He had quite a sense of humor.
You would have to make the call about what to do with the little scuplture. He loved the outdoors and probably would have found the end of a walking-stick a great application. In fact his father made some walking sticks back in the 60’s. As for the integrity of the piece it would be compromised. However, he did make quite a few of them. He enjoyed working with the wood and having fun with their expressions and the shape of the wood. Connie
I have a piece of art in pencil Limited Edition, called “Grandpa’s or Grandma’s Old Buggy”(print has faded on back. it is signed by Mr. savage and has a #2526 in the lower left corner. it measured 12″X16”. could you tell me of it’s value?
thanking you in advance,
joanie
Hello Joanie, Thank you for your inquiry. Without seeing it, with the uncertain title, adding your commenting about the condition is faded it would be difficult to give you a definately value. My father’s work and limited addition prints were sold through the Western Art and Gift Gallery in Sioux Falls, SD. I would estimate the value somewhere around the original price paid. The condition is a factor however and in this art market Jim Savage’s original pieces have been holding their value originally paid and then some. Do you recall what you paid for it originally?
I have a bronze statue titled “fancy dancer” It’s 10/25. It was bought at the art gallery in Sioux Falls in 1990. I am curious about the value.
Hello Mike,
“Fancy Dancer’s” current value would be what you would willing to sell the bronze in today’s secondary market for and find a buyer willing to pay the amount you ask.
Several of his wood sculptures last year were purchased from an estate auction for around $700 or more which was above the previous purchase price. Until more of his artwork is sold in such a manner it would be difficult to give you a fair appraisal.
Unfortunately the current recession has affected the value artwork brings today.
Recently I received a inquiry about my father’s pieces on the secondary market which indicated a slight interest. My father’s work has traveled far from SD in the years since the Western Art and Gift Gallery was open in Sioux Falls, SD. The Center for Western Studies has his studio on display along with a nice selection of his pieces.