Jargon busting- What is limited edition?

Delving into buying you first artwork can be an onslaught of jargon, however, we at Curious Duke Gallery have been dubbed the anti- gallery for a reason. Buying affordable art doesn’t have to be difficult, so allow me to explain exactly what limited edition means.

Limited Edition - Noun

An edition of something such as a book, plate, etc., that is limited to a specified number.

Modern Anatomy by Otto D'Ambra

How will I know that a print is limited edition?

 

Reputable galleries should have this information with the artwork, or if you are looking at a print it should have written on the front or back and it will look like this, 2/30 which will mean that this is the second image printed in a run of 30. Not all these images will be printed at the same time.

 

 

Does limited edition mean the same thing for all print types?

 

Of all the varied techniques of printing, there will be different limited edition numbers specific to that style. Digital printing can in theory have unlimited edition runs, but this is uncommon, ordinarily with numbers going from 25 to 100. With etchings being relatively delicate print runs will normally only run to 25 or 30 before the plate the print is on wears out.

 

Limited edition numbers will vary.

Boat Race by Roy's People

 

Silly question, but does this change when there is an original?

 

Sometimes a limited edition will have an original image or artwork. For example you have photographs and digital prints of sculpture, paintings, but if it is an etching or screenprint there will not be an original art work. For those prints that do have an original, it allows you to have a little bit of the original that may have been out of budget, too large to accommodate or maybe you fell in love with the print first. The existence of an original artwork by no means devalues a print.

 

I have seen a print of an image I like, but it comes in different sizes.

 

It’s ok; one of them isn’t a fake. Often when an artist creates a print that is very popular they may print the image in a smaller size so that it is accessible for all budgets.

Smoke Stack Lightning by Hannah Adamaszek

What is an AP?

You may come across prints that rather than having an edition number it will say AP. This means artist proof, which is one of the first prints the artist made of that run when they were experimenting with colours and brightness before landing on the right ones for the whole run. Therefore an AP will not look like the limited editions prints.

 

Should a print be signed?

 

This will vary from artist. Many artists will sign the front of the print alongside the limited edition number, however if the image is not signed you can ask for a C.O.A (certificate of authenticity) that will have the artists signature, limited edition number and title of the artwork.

 

It is worth remembering that Damien Hirst and Banksy have not signed all of their prints.

 

 

Sources

Collins Dictionary 

 

Next blog- Top 5 #LondonExhibitions

 

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Written by Curious Duke Gallery blogger Sinéad Loftus.

Lover of all art and fluffy cats.