For collectors, a Michael Ricker sculpture is often much more than a decorative piece. The edition number, signature, certificate, original packaging, condition, and history can all become part of what makes one example different from another.
As we continue documenting the Roy & Pamela Sherry Collection, one of our goals is to record these details carefully and preserve them alongside each piece.
Understanding Michael Ricker Sculptures
Michael Ricker became known for highly detailed sculptures depicting a wide variety of subjects. His work includes figures inspired by American life, history, professions, sports, wildlife, Western themes, and other subjects.
Many pieces were produced as limited editions, making the identifying information on an individual sculpture especially important.
Two sculptures of the same design may look nearly identical at first glance, but their individual edition numbers, condition, documentation, and provenance can make their histories quite different.
That is why we examine each piece individually.
Edition Numbers Matter
One of the first things to look for when examining a Michael Ricker collectible is its edition information.
A limited-edition sculpture may have an individual number identifying where that particular piece falls within the edition.
For example, a piece marked:
325 / 2,500
would indicate an individual numbered piece within an edition of 2,500.
These markings should be photographed and recorded exactly as they appear on the sculpture or its accompanying documentation.
We do not assume an edition size based solely on another example found online. Whenever possible, information in the Roy & Pamela Sherry Collection is verified directly from the piece and its associated materials.
Look for the Michael Ricker Signature
Signatures and identifying marks are another important part of documenting a sculpture.
Depending on the piece, identifying information may appear on the sculpture itself, its base, a plaque, certificate, label, or other accompanying material.
When cataloging the collection, these markings are photographed whenever possible.
Small details matter.
A clear photograph of a signature, edition number, copyright marking, or identifying label can sometimes provide more useful information than several photographs of the sculpture from a distance.
Certificates of Authenticity
When a Michael Ricker piece retains its original Certificate of Authenticity, the certificate should remain with the sculpture.
Certificates may contain valuable information about the piece, including its title, edition, issue information, or other identifying details.
For collectors, keeping the certificate and sculpture together helps preserve the history of the piece.
Within the Roy & Pamela Sherry Collection, surviving certificates and related paperwork are being treated as part of the collectible’s documentation rather than as separate miscellaneous paperwork.
Don’t Throw Away the Original Box
Original packaging is easy to overlook.
It shouldn’t be.
A box may contain labels, shipping information, product identification, dates, numbers, or other details that help establish the history of a collectible.
Original packaging can also tell us something about how a piece was stored and preserved.
The Roy & Pamela Sherry Collection includes pieces that have retained their original boxes and, in some cases, pieces that have remained unopened in their original shipping packaging.
Whenever possible, those materials will remain with their corresponding pieces.
Condition Is More Than “Good” or “Excellent”
When documenting a collectible, condition should be described rather than simply assigned a vague rating.
Things worth examining include:
- Surface condition
- Scratches or marks
- Missing or damaged components
- Base condition
- Plaques and labels
- Signs of repair
- Dust or storage wear
- Certificate condition
- Original packaging
- Shipping-box condition
Photographs are particularly valuable because they provide a visual record of the piece at the time it was cataloged.
Provenance Adds Another Layer
Provenance refers to the ownership and documented history of an object.
For the sculptures featured on this website, their inclusion in the Roy & Pamela Sherry Collection forms part of that history.
Where additional records exist, we will preserve and document them.
The goal isn’t to create a more exciting story around a piece. It is to preserve the story that can actually be supported by the evidence.
What Should You Keep With a Michael Ricker Collectible?
If you own a Michael Ricker sculpture, resist the temptation to discard materials that may seem unimportant.
Whenever available, keep the sculpture together with its:
- Certificate of Authenticity
- Original box
- Original shipping carton
- Labels
- Receipts
- Correspondence
- Printed literature
- Edition information
- Other paperwork that came with the piece
Even if those materials do not appear valuable today, they may become increasingly useful as the history of Michael Ricker’s work is researched and documented.
Creating a Permanent Michael Ricker Reference
The Michael Ricker Collection — Roy & Pamela Sherry Collection is being developed as both a collection archive and a resource for other Michael Ricker collectors.
As we catalog additional sculptures, we will publish detailed photographs, edition information, signatures, certificates, packaging, and other information that can be verified.
Future articles will also examine individual Michael Ricker sculptures and help collectors understand how to identify and document the pieces they own.
Every newly documented piece adds another small part to the historical record.
And sometimes the smallest details—an edition number, an old label, a certificate tucked inside a box—can tell the most interesting part of the story.
