Here are an original lithograph by Alain BONNEFOIT and a lithograph after a famous work by Fernand LEGER, titled "The cyclist." The first one is hand-signed at pencil by the artist and is annotated EA (Epreuve d'Artiste : Artist proof). The second one is signed in the plate (the signature is printed). ATTENTION The original lithographs may also be signed in the plate if the artist decided some it (for example for larger issue).

THE ORIGINAL LITHOGRAPH BY THE ARTIST

THE LITHOGRAPH AFTER AN ORIGINAL WORK OF ART OF THE ARTIST

The lithograph or the Art of Engraving

The lithograph is therefore considered as THE technic of printing for pictorial works. Technically, the lithograph is printed with the following manner : the artist draws, with the help of bold pencils, on a stone (especially prepared). Then, the lithograph Master, with his technical knowledge, helps the artist to achieve the lithograph. (For a complete description of the process, report yourselves to the photographic report we did for the execution of a lithograph : here). We are talking here about an authentic lithograph achieved on stone or on zinc. For a 2 colors work of Art in black and white, only one stone will be required to engrave the lithograph. The first lithograph will be annotated G.T.P (good to pull) if it totally suits to the artist. If the lithograph is in colors, every color will require a stone. We usually start working with the clearest colors to finish then with by the dark colors and the strong colors. Some of the first colors used are difficult to see really, they are only there to value the next color and so its presence is technically indispensable although appearing very discreetly. There appear all the Art of the Master lithographer ! Then these stones are employed for the issue wanted by the artist (every lithograph printed is being compared to the G.T.P (good to pull) and is judged according to this one. The total issue can be a small number like 10, 20, 25, 50 or 75 pieces. It can also be from100 to 300 pieces but the issue is rarely over 300 for original lithographs. When all the issue is numbered from 1 to the total issue wanted, some pieces are printed with pencil annotation "A.P" (Artist Proof or "E.A" in french language for Epreuve d'Artsite) and reserved to the artist. It represents about 25% of the total issue. Others are annotated H.C (Hors Commerce). They are reserved to all personns who collaborated to the edition of the lithographs : the engraver, the printer the Editor. They lithographs annoted HC represent about 10% of the total issue. Every piece is signed by the artist. The stones are erased (if it is about plates of alluminium, they are more commonly striped). This gives to the purchasers the certainty that the lithograph they acquire is done on a number given of copies and that no others will be engraved again. This method is employed for original lithographs, but also for Limited edition Fine Art reproductions (offset lithographs). Fine Art lithography are generally done in limited editions of 500, 1000, 2000 pieces ... Reproductions in lithographies are besides often drawn after the artist's death, with the rightful owners agreement and are put therefore on the stone or on the plate of alluminium not by the artist, but by a drawer who reproduces the work on as many stones (or aluminium plates) as there is colors for the "lithograph after." Another type of "lithographs after" exists also : The offset lithograph. The process of impression is more close to the quadrichromy technic than to the lithograph technic. This is a mechanical process that reveals little dots when we examine the print with a magnifying glass. Most of them come from United States where the process is very developed, since the authentic stone lithograph is not very developed. This is necessary to note that, generally, offset lithographs don't present a very remarkable printing quality. They are printed for a decoration purpose, not really for a investment one. Nevertheless, this is also necessary to note that some offset lithographs, that are limited editions, pencil numbered, can reach sometimes great prices on Art market like Sothebys for example. This is due to the weak issue authorized by the heirs of the artists or the rightful owners of the works of Art. All rare things are expensive, as the saying goes The Dry Stamps: The dry stamps are sometimes presents to the low of a lithograph by the printer or the publisher, in order to certify the veracity of the issue (pull). The dry stamp becomes then a sort of authenticity certificate that the publisher or the printer of the lithographs deliver.

Two exemples of dry stamp