ART GLOSSARY

Acid-Free Paper – Paper treated to neutralize its natural acidity in order to protect fine art prints from discoloration and deterioration.

Artist’s Proof – A print that is intended for the artist’s personal use. It is common practice to reserve a small portion of an edition as artist’s proofs. They are distinguished by the abbreviation AP next to the print number. Prior to recent advances in the printing process, inconsistent print quality was frequently an issue. Prints designated as artist’s proofs were considered the most accurate replications. Today, there is a negligible difference in quality from one print to the next, but artist’s proofs are still recognized as the best of the best, and their relative scarcity enhances their value.

Block – An unseperated group of stamps at least two stamps high and two stamps wide.

Drawing vs. Sketches – The main difference between a sketch and a drawing is one of intent. A sketch is for the artists’ own pleasure and use. A Sketch is usually less ‘finished’, quickly done, and focuses on the single, most important object or area. A drawing, on the other hand, is intended from the start for public display or sale. It is ‘finished’, complete, with appropriate levels of detail in all areas of the drawing. A sketch may take only a few minutes to complete. Whereas a drawing, could take months.

Fade-Resistant Ink – Refers to a type of ink used in printing that will not fade easily over time. However, direct sunlight or UV light can still cause the ink to fade. Some frame shops use glass that is specifically created to help protect paper and ink from sunlight and UV light.

Limited Edition – Set of identical prints numbered in succession and signed by the artist. The total number of prints is fixed or “limited” by the artist. Additional prints are often held in reserve by the artist, but are destroyed after the fixed number of prints have been successfully issued and distributed.

Medallion – The medallions are minted in the same fashion as a United States coin, and are made of bronze and plated with 24 carat gold. In some cases they are two toned, plated with both silver and gold. They are made to commemorate the image and the year it was released. They are available exclusively with designated print editions, so they are generally limited in number.

Offset Lithography – Works by transferring an image photographically to thin metal printing plates. Unlike other forms of printing, the image on the printing plate is not recessed or raised. Rollers apply oil-based ink and water to the plates. Since oil and water don’t mix, the oil-based ink won’t adhere to the non-image areas. Only the inked image portion is then transferred to a rubber blanket (cylinder) that then transfers the image onto the paper as it passes between it and another cylinder beneath the paper. The term offset refers to the fact that the image isn’t printed directly to the paper from the plates, but is offset or transferred to another surface that then makes contact with the paper.

Original – An original as the name suggests, is a one of a kind work of art created by the artist. There can only be one original, and most will increase in value over time. Some originals, such as those used to create prints or those published in books, magazines, etc., gain wide recognition, and appreciate in value even more.

Plate Block – A block of stamps with attached selvage bearing the plate number used in printing the sheet.

Remarque vs. Printed Remarque – A remarque is a small original drawing or painting created by the artist’s hand in the white margin of a print or on some other form of reproduction of his art. Done only on a limited portion of the prints in an edition, these small original works of art can increase the value of a print dramatically over time. A printed remarque is a hand drawn or painted remarque that has been reproduced on a limited edition of prints. This is usually done to further distinguish a certain edition of prints from others.

Selvage – The margin of unprinted paper around a sheet of stamps.