Miro HC etching aquatint

Fascinating. Thank you, folks! I have learned and unlearned a couple of things, and in the end, kinda wound up where I started... as MOS said - we need a Miro expert.

 

Yeah ramyick go take it to a museum and let us know what they say. Guarantee to you they will say what I just told you. I think you just don't know what you are buying

 

Ok

 

(French, épreuve d'artist) An artist's proof (see definition) Exc or Imp - (Latin, excudit) He(she) executed it. The meaning is synonymous with (Latin, impressit) he(she) printed it. HC - (French, Hors d'Commerce) Prints from an edition intended to be used as samples to show to dealers and galleries here you go!

 

Must admit it's interesting and confusing. Hors translates from French to English as "off", d (de) is "of,", commerce is, surprisingly "commerce."
OK, so "off commerce" or, not on market = not for sale. Then why such as 18/25?

Also agree that you should take it to an art dealer or e.g. museum for hands on opinion.

 

HC can be numbered or not. Different etchings but from the same "Le Marteau Sans Maitre" series:

http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/...o-le-marteau-sans-maitre-5733371-details.aspx

http://www.artprice.com/marketplace.../le-marteau-sans-maitre-28d946-29#/zoom_image

The etchings from the series are well documented so try to find the exact same one you have and check signature, numbering, how many HC's were there etc.

 

Actually, here is yours, bottom right. HC edtition of 25.
http://www.mjames.com/gallery/Miro.html

 

Notice they're pushing that one as a ...
Museum Quality Collectable...................???

 

BUT, they ARE different NUMBERS!!! Ramyick's is 18/25 and the online one is 24/25.......

 

Different numbers? You don't want them the be the same, do you? Otherwise, One of the two is a copy or they are the exact same original print.
By " here is yours" I mean, the same image with HC edition. What is important is that the HC's were done in 25 examples, as on the OP's piece.

 

Thanks Kard for the info.....makes total sense!!!! Still learning here!!!!!

 

I guess by museum quality they mean the print is a very good impression ( even from the same edition some copies could be better than others), probably in excellent condition, that can include museum quality mats and mounts etc...
Of course it is collectable

 

So, if the OP wants to sell it, he has two options. Either get it authenticated or sell as " in the manner of" or something like that and make sure he provides information about the total edition, how many were the HC's etc. And maybe provide reputable sources where he get the info from.
Other thing, make sure you comare the size of the plate and the sheet with other original examples.

 

Thanks for all of the insight!!

 

Problem is his is a copy of the 24/25. I used to work at a gallery And have seen these type of pieces come in. They have to put the numbers to show what the original looked like. I would not go through all that for a copy

 

Lol I certainly am no expert, but does what rink is saying make any sense? I think he's way off and it makes me certain that he never worked in a gallery.

 

IMHO, and has been there since I was 5 yo, the artist checks all the prints/lithos, whatever and choose the best one.

That's number one. The next best is number 2 and so on until he/she quits, whether at 1/9 or 1/199.

So I'll take 1/25 any day over 24/25.

Reminds me. Has anyone ever seen 25/25 or 90/90?????

 

Well ramyick it's pretty obvious you don't know what your buying. I have and when they repeat what I told you, you will find out then

 

Ok rink...

 

Go on Google and type in "what does HC mean in art" it will give you all you need to know