How can you tell a real 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.

What is the difference between a print and a lithograph?

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.

How can you tell a vintage 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.

What does a lithograph look like under magnification?

Under magnification, the image will look too uniform, look dotted like it was created by a machine. The colors will be perfectly laid over each other with minimal bleeding. When you do the same with a hand made lithograph, the image will most likely feel raised in areas and have slight bumps.

What is a hand Coloured lithograph?

The lithographic process is one of flat surface printing from a design drawn on stone. It is based on the principle of the resistance of grease to water. There are no raised or cut portions, as there are in engraving and etching.

How do you price a lithograph?

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 do you know if a lithograph is worth money?