Are vintage lithographs worth anything?

An original piece of artwork by a famous artist is expensive. A lithograph print is more affordable but still carries a tag of exclusivity, quality and value as there is almost certainly not going to be many copies. It is not a reproduction and potentially an original lithograph is going to demand higher prices.

How can you tell if a lithograph is valuable?

The value or price of a lithograph depends on the quality of the art work, the quality of the paper and how successfully the print was made. The reputation of the artist who produced the print sometimes has a bearing on the price and so does the reason the print was made.

How can you tell an antique lithograph?

A common way to tell if a print is a hand lithograph or an offset lithograph is to look at the print under magnification. Marks from a hand lithograph will show a random dot pattern created by the tooth of the surface drawn on. Inks may lay directly on top of others and it will have a very rich look.

Are lithographs always numbered?

Most modern lithographs are signed and numbered to establish an edition. Very often the artist signs a number of these “reproductions” but they are not true original lithographs. Seaside Art Gallery has a number of wonderful original lithographs that have been created by some of the most noted artists in the world.

What’s the difference between a print and a lithograph?

Lithograph vs Print The difference between lithograph and print is that lithography is the original artwork of an artist, which is done by oil and water, whereas print is a duplicate copy of documents done by machines. Lithographs are originally artist artwork in which they have their signature.

Do lithographs increase in value?

In general, print runs of lithographs are kept low to preserve the value of each individual print. While a lithograph will rarely bring as much as the original artwork, they can be quite valuable even while being relatively more affordable.

What’s the difference between a lithograph and a print?

The difference between lithograph and print is that lithography is the original artwork of an artist, which is done by oil and water, whereas print is a duplicate copy of documents done by machines. In the nineteenth-century, lithography was known as graphic art in which artists used oil and water to print their art.

How can you tell if a print is an antique?

But you can learn to tell the difference. Frequently a magnifying glass will reveal the regular pattern of dots on a modern photographic reproduction. Look for signs that an old print would exhibit: wear and tear, spilled printer’s ink, a smudge, slightly misapplied watercolor, a plate mark, or a watermark.

Are lower numbered prints worth more?

What Does it Mean That a Print is Numbered? This numbering system is usually indicated in the lower margin in the form of X/YY. When the second number, which is the size of the edition, is smaller, that print edition typically has far more value since fewer of those prints were produced.

Is it worth buying a lithograph?

Lithographs are authorized copies of original works of art. In general, print runs of lithographs are kept low to preserve the value of each individual print. While a lithograph will rarely bring as much as the original artwork, they can be quite valuable even while being relatively more affordable.

Are lithographs worth buying?

How can you tell a fake lithograph?

What is the difference between a lithograph and a print?

1. Look for a signature. Hand-pulled lithographs will typically have a signature on the back while offset lithography prints and reproductions will not.
2. Use a magnifying glass to look for rows of dots.
3. Check for discoloration.
4. Carefully feel the thickness of the ink.