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What is the difference between an artist's proof and an edition?

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What is the difference between an artist's proof and an edition?
The difference between an artist's proof and an edition comes down to purpose. An artist's proof can be thought of as a test run, a print that the artist makes to see how the image appears. Normally, the artist does not intend to sell these proofs. An edition is a print produced for the purpose of sale. You will sometimes see the term "main edition" used in place of edition. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of art prints.
1stDibs ExpertAugust 20, 2024
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Set of Four Engravings from Nash's "History of Worcestershire" /// Landscape Art
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Treadway Russell Nash (English, 1724-1811) Title: "A View of Stourbridge", "A View of Upton upon Severn, from Ryal Hill", "Bewdley", and "Tenbury" Portfolio: Collections for the History of Worcestershire Year: 1781-1782 (First edition) Medium: Set of Four Original Engravings on watermarked laid paper Limited edition: Unknown Printer: John Nichols, London, UK Publisher: T. Payne and Son, J. Robson, B. White, Leigh and Sotheby, London, UK; Fletcher, Oxford, UK; and Lewis, Worcester, UK Sheet size (each): approx. 10" x 16.5" Image size (each): approx. 6.88" x 11.75" Reference: Upcott III, page 1330 Condition: A few light handling creases. Have been professionally stored away for decades. They are all strong impressions in excellent condition Notes: Provenance: private collection - Aspen, CO. All four works were engraved by English artist Thomas Sanders (Active: Mid-Late 18th Century) after drawings by himself. Comes from Nash's two volume "Collections for the History of Worcestershire", (1781-1782) (First edition), which consists of 75 engravings. Each work is printed from one copper plate in one color: black. There was a (Second edition) "with Additions" bound in with Volume II of this portfolio published by John White in 1799. And, both the First and Second editions of "Collections for the History of Worcestershire" are based off Thomas Sanders' 1779-1781 "Perspective Views of the Market Towns within the County of Worcester". Both "A View of Stourbridge" and "A View of Upton upon Severn, from Ryal Hill" have unidentified fleur-de-lis watermarks in the center of their sheets. "Bewdley" has an unidentified watermark in the center of its sheet resembling "XV" and "Tenbury" has no watermark. Biography: Treadway Russell Nash (24 June 1724 – 26 January 1811) was an English clergyman, now known as an early historian of Worcestershire and the author of Collections for the History of Worcestershire, an important source document for Worcestershire county histories. He was a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London. Treadway Russell Nash was born on 24 June 1724 born at Clerkenleap, in Kempsey, Worcestershire. His family were from Ombersley. They had lands there and at Claines, and had later bought lands in the Reformation around St Peter's, Droitwich. He was related to James Nash and John Nash, both MPs for Worcester. His father Richard, a grandson of Sir Rowland Berkeley, died in 1740, and Richard's eldest son in 1757. As a result, Treadway Russell Nash inherited the Russells' Strensham estates from his brother, as well as the Nash estates, and took both names. He was educated from the age of twelve at King's School, Worcester, and became a scholar at Worcester College, Oxford aged fifteen. In March 1749, he accompanied his brother on a trip to the continent, to aid Richard's health. They visited Paris for about six weeks, before spending the summer "on the banks of the Loire". They then visited "Bourdeaux, Thoulouse, Montpelier, Marseilles, Leghorn, Florence, Rome, Naples, Bologna, Venice, Padua, Verona, Milan, Lyons, and again Paris"; such expeditions are often known as the Grand Tour. On his return in late summer 1751, Nash took up a post as Vicar of Eynsham through his friend and future brother-in-law, John Martin. He also had an income as a tutor at Oxford. He took his Doctor of Divinity degree and left Oxford, having "gone out grand compounder", following the death of his brother. He also left his benefice at Eynsham in 1757. While at Oxford he had proposed a road from there to Witney (now the A40 and B4022), and also stood for Parliament. Nash married Margaret Martin...
Category

1780s Old Masters Landscape Prints

Materials

Laid Paper, Engraving

"Apparition at the Border of Language"
Located in Lyons, CO
This print presents a fictitious encounter between contemporary colonial forces and Native Americans who are defenders of immigrant refugees and displaced populations. The artist de...
Category

2010s Contemporary More Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Hand Painted X-Large-Gladiolus Glorious-British Artist-Limited Edition#9 of 10
Located in London, GB
This rare X-large Limited Edition is 80% hand painted and highlighted with original paint and brushstrokes painted by artist Shizico Yi. Only 10 Limited Edition has been made, last ...
Category

2010s Abstract Impressionist Abstract Prints

Materials

Gesso, Archival Ink, Oil, Acrylic, Archival Paper, Giclée

"The Italian Poppies" by Ed Baynard (Flowers, White, Abstract, Still life)
Located in New York, NY
This is a 20 color screen print on Sommerset paper. The edition was printed at Brand X Editions in 1997. Ed Baynard’s paintings and graphic prints blend the contemporary and the cla...
Category

1990s Contemporary Still-life Prints

Materials

Screen

"Venice from the Lido" original etching
Located in Henderson, NV
Medium: original etching. This impression on cream laid paper was printed by Lienard and published in Paris by L'Art in 1879. The plate size is 7 3/4 x 11 3/4 inches (200 x 300 mm). ...
Category

1870s Prints and Multiples

Materials

Etching

'The Start of the Race' — 1899 America's Cup, 1930s Color Woodcut
Located in Myrtle Beach, SC
Jacques La Grange, 'The Start of the Race, 1899', color woodcut, edition 500, 1934. Signed and numbered '21/500' in pencil. A fine impression, with fresh colors, on cream wove paper,...
Category

1930s American Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Woodcut

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