What does hors de commerce mean?

: outside the trade : not for sale through regular commercial channels.

Are HC prints more valuable?

A HC is given as a gift to the artist for allowing the publisher to print their images. Of all the special prints, the HCs are the most valuable, because of their rarity.

What does HC mean on a lithograph?

H.C. (Hors Commerce) – French for “For Commercial Use”, these prints are sometimes unsigned by the artist and used to promote the edition and are supposedly not to be sold.

What is a one of a kind print called?

A monotype is one of a kind, a unique piece of artwork. It is the simplest form of printmaking, requiring only pigments, a surface on which to apply them, paper and some form of press. Photogravure. A photomechanical process invented in 1879 for fine printing.

Is my print worth anything?

Prints can be just as valuable as any other artwork and certain prints are known to reach seven or eight-figure prices at auctions. Since they cost only a fraction of the price of a painting or a photograph, prints are also a great way for new art collectors to kick off their collection.

What do the numbers mean on a painting?

Many times there is confusion on what it means to have a numbered piece of art. To have a numbered piece of art means that the artist or printer has indicated on the art that this piece is the X numbered print out of a total of YY prints printed in that particular edition, making it a limited edition.

Is a lithograph more valuable than a print?

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.

What does a P mean on a picture?

artists’ proof
The initials ‘AP’ instead of a number at the bottom of an image means ‘artists’ proof’. With artists’ prints these are a necessary part of the production process, where proofs are taken until the artist is happy with the print.

How can you tell if it’s a 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 a good investment?

It is possible for those with more limited resources to purchase artworks as an investment, and lithographs are a popular choice. While a lithograph will rarely bring as much as the original artwork, they can be quite valuable even while being relatively more affordable.

Is a monotype an original?

Source: Collectors Guide – What is a Monotype A monoprint is one of a series—therefore, not wholly unique. A monoprint begins with an etched plate, a serigraph, lithograph or collograph. This underlying image remains the same and is common to each print in a given series.