Types Of Aviation Art Lithographs

Choosing aviation art lithographs that will gain in value with time can be a challenge if you don’t have a basic understanding of the way that these pieces of art are categorized. Many people get lithographs because they provide a person an affordable way to have exquisite aviation art in their home.

The creation of a lithograph is very detailed and complex. The finished product is the result of several passes on a lithographer’s press which distributes color on the paper. At a minimum, four colors are required to obtain a full color spectrum and the shading of the pieces requires further passes through the press. When completed the lithograph is an exact replica of the original piece of art.

Selecting the lithograph that will become most valuable from a collector’s standpoint will depend on the category of print you select. An individual who is collecting a specific series of aviation art may find that the pieces in one category provide more options and potential added value than another category.

Lithographs will have a Certificate of Authenticity that give important information about the print. The information contained in the certificate will include the date the series of prints were made, how many are in the series, and artist information. When the lithographs are numbered there will be more value found in the lower numbers such as one to fifty than in the last prints made.

There are different categories of lithographs that establish a different value for the prints. An Open Edition litho is the most commonly seen print and is not numbered. The print is signed by the artist and normally is the most affordable of the prints. However, if the print contains a Remarque the value of the print is greatly enhanced. A remarque is an original sketch in ink, pencil, or paint that the artist does in the margin of the lithograph. This may be a doodle or other object that is relevant to the focal point of the lithograph.

When a Limited Edition is selected it will contain a certificate showing the number of prints that have been made as well as the number of the lithograph that you are purchasing. There will be a limited number in the series and after the printing, the plates for the lithograph are destroyed so that the pieces retain and grow in value for the collectors that purchase them. The certificates are signed by the artist and there is normally information on where the original piece of art is located.

A Master Edition lithograph is signs, numbered, and printed like the Limited Edition but the details on the lithograph are enhanced by the artist. The artist may add a unique feature to the lithograph and create an original piece on the lithograph that a collector has received.

When a special lithograph is made for a group of veterans they are categorized in the Veteran Edition lithographs. The prints are restricted to the specific group for which they are made, are numbered and signed by the artist. The plates are destroyed and there are no further printing done of the lithograph after they have been distributed to the veteran group.

Museums and diplomats often receive a Presidential Proof from an artist or group.These lithographs are printed on canvas and have intricate detailing by the artist. In many cases an observer cannot tell that the print is not the original piece. The prints are not sold and are numbered and maintained in large centers or galleries.

Learn more about aviation art. Stop by Jacob Biggs’s site where you can find out all about aviation arts and what it can do for you.