How can you tell an etching is authentic?

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If I post an entry every Monday to Friday, I’ve got to come up with over 250 posts per year, so I need ideas.  Please suggest some to me. This one comes from my daughter, Nicole. She asked me to answer questions that are commonly asked of me at shows. I was asked this question on Sunday at the Redondo Beach Antiques Fair. “How can you tell an etching is authentic?”

Louis Icart pulling a proof of Joy of Life from the etching press

Louis Icart pulling a proof of Joy of Life from the etching press

First you have to understand the process of producing an etching. The artist does his work on a copper plate, so the “original” is a copper plate and that’s rarely ever for sale. To produce the image, first the plate is hand-inked. Then the paper is laid down on top and the two pass together through the etching press, under tremendous pressure. The pressure transfers the image to the paper. Since the copper plate has thickness, it “dents” the paper around the edge of the image. This “dent” is called a plate impression. You can see it and feel it around the edge of the plate. So #1. A real etching has a plate impression.

Since the process is not photographic and there is no printing press, there are no dots in the image. If you use a magnifying glass to look at a photograph in a newspaper, you can see the entire image is made up of dots. Use a magnifying glass with an original etching and there are no dots. So #2. An authentic etching does not have any dots in the image.

After the edition is printed by the master printer, it is given back to the artist to hand-sign each one. Prints or other fakes have copies of the signature. So #3. Authentic etchings are hand-signed by the artist, usually in pencil.

In the case of Louis Icart, a raised seal called a blindstamp, was created in mid-1926, and is usually found in the lower left corner, just below the image. Most Icart images produced after this time have the blindstamp, but don’t use this information as a crutch. There are some fake etchings that have fake blindstamps. And conversely, there are many authentic Icart etchings that do not have a blindstamp. Supposedly the etchings without blindstamps were not for export from France, but personally I’ve found too many instances where this rule doesn’t seem to follow.

If you like my blog, please recommend it to others. Email me with your comments and suggestions. philchasen@gmail.com

259 thoughts on “How can you tell an etching is authentic?”

  2. I have a Louis Icart “lillies” picture. It was my great aunts and 10 years ago it was appraised at $10,000. I would like to sell it but have no clue where to start. Can you help with this?

  3. To begin, you need a realistic appraisal. Your appraised value has nothing to do with today’s values.

  4. Hi Phil… Love the blog, and love the articles I’ve seen by you so far. They have helped a lot. I have a question. We have narrowed down that we definitely have a real engraving by an artist by the name of H.T. Ryall. The piece is called “Deer Stalkers Return”… it was bought at an estate sale, we actually bought it for the antique frame that was around it. It says it is for the Duke of Northumberland. It is old and definitely has some wear. Can these be restored? We would like to find out more about this piece, but unfortunately we can only find reprints done in color or “prints”… no other engravings like this one. Also, the owner passed away so there is no way to ask him. He had no family to ask either. Do you know anything about this artists work?

  8. I have an etching by Axel H Haig. The signature on the etching seems to be
    18-AHH-77 Or something like that. Under the etching there is a signature Axel H. Haig
    It is 6×4 of a windmill and in the back you can see a woman in the sky. I would like to know if you can give me any info. Thanks

  10. I have just bought a print of two tired looking [but well observed] greyhounds. I am sure it is an ”etching” BUT the I am not sure if it is a later copy of an etching. I cannot see any pixels, but there is a very fine engraved name below the greyhounds ”Briton Riviere del” and looking this up, it looks to be a well known Artist, so the chances of my ”etching” being genuine are remote. It was bought ”loose” unframed, probably from a book ??.

    Looking through a loupe, one can see the usual fine etching lines, but these could be printed rather than ”hand pressed” in the usual manner? There is a painting of the almost identical hounds called ”Exile of the ’45”.

    The print or reproduction is reasonably old [not new] and the paper is of a reasonably good weight.

    There is a plate mark, but this is outside of the shaded background.

    Thanks in advance,
    Catherine

  11. Catherine, you didn’t ask a question, but regardless, I can’t be of any help with artists I don’t know. Best of luck. Philip

  12. Thanks so much for your information on org. Prints can prints be made back to back or is that a photo such as in a book

  14. Good Morning, I purchased a Rembrandt etching print, how would you tell if it is a restrike etching? It has the etching marks. I have only seen one like it at the British Museum. Thank you for all your information you write.

  15. Sorry, Vickie, but I have no knowledge of Rembrandt etchings. Good luck in your search. Philip

  16. I found a print by Jennie Brownscombe, a very large one of Sunday Morning at Sleep Hollow. It does not have the inscription “after etching” on the bottom right corner as I have seen so many have. Can you tell me what “after etching” means and is that a more desirable print?

  17. I assume “after etching” means that it’s a print based on the original etching. However a print is a print, not to be confused with the original etching.

  18. I recently acquired, what might be an original etching of, Lef Redron’s Corniche D’Or.
    This etching was given to my Grandmother as a wedding gift in July of 1939, there are not “dots” and is signed in pencil. Can you help to determine if this etching is authentic?

    Thanks, Kym

  19. Sorry, Kym. I’m an expert when it comes to the etchings of Louis Icart. Beyond that, you’re on your own. Good luck. Philip

  20. I have two Icart prints that were my moms. She received them as a gift. I have no idea if they were just cheap prints or could be valuable. How does a person begin to know how to find out? One I believe is “Orchids”, the other I believe is “Rainbow”. They are in frames with pink matting, the frames are kind of heavy with goldish trim. I’m just curious about them! Thank you!

  21. Kym, my fee for appraisals is $125 for the first object and $75 for each additional. You’ll get a written appraisal telling you if they’re authentic and their values. Best. Philip

  22. I bought an engraving Journal des demoiselles at an Estate Sales. It is signed by A. Sortier in Pencil. The other end has a pencil signature of Saquet. Would like to know if you have any of both names?

  23. Sorry, Fernando, but I’m not familiar with either name. Good luck with your research.

  24. I’m just learning about various styles of artwork (originals, etchings, lithographs, etc)….I’ve seen a few instances where people are selling etchings (in this case a “Velazquez” by Dali) and stating that the etching is “signed in plate.” I could assume that’s a fake signature but I’m not sure. So, I ask you, “What does “signed in plate” mean?

  25. Kelly, etchings are usually hand-signed in pencil by the artist. Occasionally the artist places his signature right on the copper plate where the artwork was done. It’s less common, but that’s what “signed in the plate” means. It does not mean the signature is fake, merely that the signature is not hand-signed.

  26. I have an old original copper engraving plate of woman similar to Bird Charmer but not exactly same. Same woman though. It is signed L. Perrault and engraver is F. Feldweg. Copper is 8″ x 10″ approx. Is it worth anything. Dated 1897. Must face and shoulders od woman. No bird.

  27. Janet, L. Perrault is not a well-known name, so I doubt your copper plate has much value.

  28. I recently bought an etching from estate sale and I’m copying everything on this picture Sir Edward Coke .KNt lord Chief Justice of England in the reign of James11 from the original picture of house of Thomas Bayle esq of Grayse inn. London publish July 1 ,1834 by WmSweet,38 chancery lane(corner of cursitor st) I do not have idea of what do I got I know it’s old and I think it’s made from leather it don’t lookalike paper to me,please let me know is it worth something?thank you very much.

  29. Sorry, Ricky, but I’m not the right person to answer your question. I’m an expert on Louis Icart etchings, not English etchings. Good luck with it. Philip

  30. We have 2 Fracesco Bartolozzi etchings/ engravings. We have been researching relative prices, but they are all over the place, one is entitled ” Cupid Bound by Nymps” and another untitled, they both are in color and furnished with gold frames. Do you have any suggestions on what are next steps should be?

  31. Sorry, but I have no knowledge of this artist. There are paid websites that list auction prices for different artists, such as http://www.artprice.com, but I have no idea if this artist is listed. Good luck in your search.

  32. Mr. Chasen,
    I have a print of Hommage to Guynemer. The signature and the printed area all have “the dots”. How do I know if this is an authentic reproduction or just a photocopy?

    Thanks,

    Mat

  34. I have found in an Estate sail 6 works with etchings by W. Finden, one is called: VIEW FROM THE BEACH AT SIDMOUTH
    looking towards the southwest
    How do I know if they are worth anything?

  35. There are paid art sites that give auction records for various artists. Askart.com is one example.

  36. Thank you, I just hate to spend anything when I don’t know art or artists. I do know that I like them, so may just display in home.

  37. I have two etchings that are signed in pencil with name Louis Icart. One is of a women who appears to have a large shawl or sheet draped over her nude body. She has a hairstyle of how women wore their hair around the turn of the century and or possibly up to the year 1910. She is standing in front of a seated man wearing a turban or Arab head covering. His back is to the viewer of the etching. The second etching is that of a women washing her hair. Her knee is propped up onto a bathtub or some sort of wash basin. To the right of her stands a child who looks to be around the age of 2 or 3 years old (a boy?), rather cherub looking with his hands on his hips. No name to the prints. How can I tell if they are authentic?

  38. If you can’t tell from the lessons in my blog, then you might want to consider a paid appraisal. $125 for the first etching and $75 for each additional.

  39. Thank you so much for your description of authentic etchings. I may (or may not) have an authentic etching of Wilhelm Landsmann that was between the pages of a very large coffee table book on A.J. Casson. I am not sure where I can take it to find out. Have you any suggestions for the Ottawa Area.

  41. Thank you so much for the lesson on etchings. I now know I have an etching called Dutch Harbor View by Louis Szanto.

    Can you tell me where I may go to sell it or get an appraisal?

  42. I’m not familiar with Louis Szanto. My best suggestion is to Google auction houses and send a photo to them. Also there are art sites that list information on the value of works by different artists, but they are paid subscription services, like artnet.com. You can buy a 1-day subscription.

  43. Hi- I purchased a Louis Icart etching at auction. The piece is called “Laziness” and according to the back it’s an original artist’s print. It’s got minor damage in a few places (white spots); but it still has great color (red highlights) and is in the original (albeit worn) frame. How can I go about learning more about it and possibly having it restored? Also, should I reframe it? Is glass going to help or hurt it?

    Thanks in advance for any help!

  44. Hi Philip – Your blog and Kim’s post above have captured my attention while looking up information about Icart. My husband and I have an Icart etching of Coursing II that was exposed to environmental variations in an attic for a number of years. The original matting has warped (maybe from water damage), but fortunately the etching is only somewhat weathered (dusty, browned, etc). We have considered two routes and would be interested in your opinion. The first option is to have the damaged mat removed, then re-mat/frame it. The second is to leave it in its current condition and put it in a shadow box. Do you have an opinion on which is best or if there is a reason to choose one option over the other? We are looking into an appraisal from someone in our area as well.

  45. I can take care of the restoration. If it’s laid down on board, the cost will be $250 + returning shipping and insurance. If it’s not laid down on board, the cost will be $150 + shipping. Personally I put no value on original frames, unless they’re special and most aren’t. Etchings should always be framed under glass.

  46. In my opinion, most etchings in original condition should be restored. If the mat is damaged and can be removed without damaging the etching, it should be replaced. Most of the time the mats were glued to the etchings and need a professional to remove them. As I told Kim, I can take care of this for you.

  47. HI there, I recently purchased an etching by Gustave Mercier of Charles Darwin. I can not find much info about it, but it is dated 1890 and there is a signature in pencil. It however does not look like there is much of an impression. I am now wondering if this is a print instead. Is the impression very noticeable on etchings? Do you know anything about Mercier? All I can find is that he is french and raveled to New York.
    Thanks for any help.

  48. Sorry, Matt, but I know nothing about Mercier. The plate impression is something that you can see and certainly feel with your finger. If it isn’t there, it’s not an etching. Good luck with it. Philip

  49. Hello Phillip. I bought a frame with the intent to frame my mosaics because it had a mat and was the right size. But when I started looking at the art work in it, I realized it was a hand colored print. Not a photograph of some ones art work. The name of it is- Sunday Morning at Sleep Hollow. I know it is a true hand colored picture. But I don’t know if was done by Jennie Brownscombe. It is signed by her and Jas.S. King and after his signature it says etch. After her signature it says, pintx, I think. Or is it print? Is there a big difference if she painted it or some one colored one of the etchings with her name on it. Is that even legal? Also I noticed the white flowers at the bottom of the picture seem to be painted with something more than water colors. They have a little rise to them. I can feel it. Is that possible? And do artists still color etchings like this? Thank you for any information. Roberta Miller

  50. Roberta, I wrote a general article about the authentication of etchings, but really I’m an expert only for Louis Icart. I’m sorry, but I’m not the right person to answer your questions. Best of luck. Philip

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