Mosconi Lithograph Artist Proof #27/52
HERE'S THE SKINNY!
Artist?s Proofs are additional prints not included in, but of the same quality as, the regular limited edition. In the early days of printing, Artist?s Proofs were the first prints pulled off the plate or stone, which was drawn or etched on by the artist to create the image on the print. As more prints were pulled off the plate, the plate wore down, thus the Artist?s Proofs were the sharpest and had the best colors of the entire print run. With today?s modern printing technology, the lithograph prints in the production run are nearly identical. Artist?s Proofs usually number 10% of the limited edition size, with the normal range being 50 to 75 prints. Because of their low number, Artist?s Proofs are slightly more expensive than the regular limited edition. When the limited edition lithograph prints have sold out and are available only through a secondary market, the Artist?s Proofs should go up in value at a higher percentage rate than the limited edition prints. Normally, Artist?s Proofs sell out well before the limited edition, and can increase in value before the limited edition is sold out. Artist?s Proofs are signed A.P., A/P, or Artist?s Proof. They may or may not be numbered.
The Litho is professionally framed and matted with acid free matt. It comes with certificate of authenticity and the picture of Willie signing the Litho.
David Harrington is the artist and he personally sketched the marquee on the bottom of the litho in artist pencil - NOT A PRINT, A REAL DRAWING!
This is number A/P #27 of 52! This means that the Lithographer would print 1 litho from a NEW plate, inspect it and number it as 1 of 52, or 2 of 52 etc...Then he would print (in this case) about 10 prints off off that plate, then destroy the 'old' plate and start with a fresh one. I'd love to have one of those plates, or even better, a Printers Proof!
I have all receipts, for the Artist Proof and frame.
As you can see in one of the pictures, the certificate shows the amount of lithos (600) total with NO MORE EDITIONS TO BE MADE - EVER!
The idea behind this is....total regular lithographs = 526 (Mosconi's unofficial high run in straight pool)
A/P = 52 and Printers Proof = 22 - for a TOTAL OF 600!
It was commissioned in 1992 and the date is on the certificate.
The shipping/packaging and insurance on this will be considerable. It will be done either by the same Frame shop that framed it or another professional art gallery. Of course, it can also be picked up as is.
As far as a price, I'm looking into this drawing/lotto thing that others forumers are doing with some success. Let me know what you people think.
