By Jacob Biggs

Lithographic prints are reproductions of original works of art. The use of lithographs provides an opportunity for many people to enjoy the beauty of an art piece in the convenience of their home at an affordable price. The use of lithographs are extremely popular for aviation art by collectors.

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.

There are seven categories of lithographs with that range in price depending on their potential to gain in value with time. When you want to collect a piece that will retain or gain value, knowing some of the information about the artist, the print, and the category in which it is placed will help you to make the most knowledgeable decision.

When you are looking for a collectors lithograph check the Certificate of Authenticity to make sure that it has been signed in graphite pencil by the author. The lithographic will be numbered if it is in one of the more collectible categories. Having a lithograph that has a higher number, from one to fifty, will provide you a faster gain on your investment.

A popular lithograph that is extremely affordable is the Open Edition lithograph. This print does not have any limitation on the number of prints made, nor is it numbered. One way that this print will increase dramatically in value is when the artist has added a Remarque to the print. This is a small object or doodle that is related to the lithograph in the margin of the print. The Remarque makes the piece a unique print that cannot be duplicated and thus becomes one of a kind.

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.

There are special series of aviation art lithographs made for veterans of the armed forces. When these lithographs are made, they are restricted to the group of veterans and are individually signed and numbered by the artist. The prints are not replicated at any time and the plates for the lithographic are destroyed.

Diplomats and museums are often provided lithographs that are exact replicas of an original piece. These lithographs are printed on canvas and have very find details hand painted by the artist. The pieces are numbered and signed. When the Presidential Proof is printed there may only be a few in a series before the plates are destroyed.

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