Lausanne: Lithographs and Fine Art Prints – Verifying Editions and Signatures

In Lausanne, a framed print might feature a prestigious signature and an edition number; however, these two elements alone are not enough to determine its rarity or value. In the realm of fine art prints, factors such as the printing process, the date of the impression, the type of paper, and the work’s relationship to the artist are what truly matter. Distinguishing between an original print and a commercial reproduction requires a careful examination of the physical object itself.

What a Numbered Edition Means

A notation such as 12/75 typically indicates the specific copy’s place within an edition, but it does not, by itself, prove that the sheet was printed during the artist’s lifetime or under their direct supervision. There may also be artist’s proofs, later reprints, or posthumous impressions. To provide an accurate description, one must interpret the inscriptions literally, without assigning them meanings that cannot be independently verified.

Paper, Margins, and the Printing Process

A lithograph is not the same as a screen print, and neither is inherently superior to the other. Details such as the dot pattern (halftone), grain, printing pressure, watermarks, and margins help in asking the right questions. Since the glass of a frame can conceal abrasions, stains, or discoloration, an initial photograph should be taken without using a flash and without removing the print from its frame.

Auction Prices: Finding the Same Edition

When consulting public auction results, it is essential to compare items that share the same technique, edition, dimensions, and condition. A signature printed into the plate is different from one added in pencil; furthermore, an exhibition poster may have a market distinct from that of an original lithograph.

The existence of a recognized publisher or a

catalogue raisonné

can also influence the certainty of a classification.

An example to guide your assessment

A lithograph might be presented as a “unique piece” simply because a family happens to own only one copy. However, a number in the margin indicates that the sheet is part of a larger edition. Its actual rarity depends on the specific edition, its condition, and its availability on the market—not on the fact that it is the only copy in a private home.

Documents to prepare

• A full photograph showing all four margins
• Details regarding numbering, signature, blind stamps, and the publisher
• Dimensions of both the sheet and the image (please do not remove the work from its frame)

Is a signed print worth more than an unsigned one?

A signature can be a significant factor, but it is essential to determine whether it is hand-signed, printed, or added at a later date. The edition, the authenticity of the production process, and the condition of the paper remain the decisive factors.

Getting an initial assessment from Colucci Fine Art

Colucci Fine Art & Auctions is based at Via San Gottardo 98 in Balerna, Canton Ticino; it does not have a branch in Lausanne. If you would like to submit a work, you may begin by providing photographs and documentation for an initial, preliminary assessment, intended to explore a potential sale. Details regarding the consignment process can be found in the “Sell with us” section; arrangements for in-person inspection, transport, insurance, and other necessary procedures are handled separately.

Colucci Art Magazine · Colucci Fine Art & Auctions editorial team | Editorial feature, not an individual appraisal.

Image: Divan Japonais, 1892–93 — 58.621.17. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec · Public Domain / CC0 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Photograph reproduced with automatic resizing for web display.