What is a proof?
What is a proof? A proof is an impression of a print printed before the
regular, published edition of the print, making them often rarer. There
are several different types of proof in printing:
A trial or working proof; a test to see what work the artist needs to do to the plate.
For example:
An artists proof; often signed these are impressions issued extra to the regular commercial run and reserved for the artists own use.
For example:
A proof before letters; an impression of the print made before the title is added to the image.
A scratched title proof; an impression were the title is lightly etched below the image.
For example:
[The Children of Joseph Baggaley Bradshaw.]
Jos. Wright pinxit. Val. Green fecit.
[n.d., c.1769.]
Mezzotint. Scratched proof. Plate: 375 x 475mm (14¾ x 18¾"). Slight repair in lower title on right. Trimmed to plate and laid on card.
A group portrait of three children of Joseph Baggale Bradshaw shown holding a lamb in a rural landscape. After a painting by Joseph Wright of Derby (1734-1797).
CS: 141.
[Ref: 42502] £650.00
A signed proof; where either the engraver or artist or both have written their signatures on the print.
For example:
A trial or working proof; a test to see what work the artist needs to do to the plate.
For example:
[This View of the Royal Dock Yard at Chatham...PROOF . ]
[Painted by R. Paton, the Figures by J. Mortimer. [right] Engraved by P.C. Canot.]
[R. Paton, Wardour Street., Soho, London, 14 February 1775. ]
Rare etching, working proof from the unfinished plate, laid paper. Image 450 x 650mm (17¾ x 25½"). Trimmed within plate, and to image on three sides. Centrefold crease and nicks to extremities.
An interesting progress proof impression, before the plate was engraved with fine detail. The published state carries the following full title and inscription "TO THE King's most Excellent Majesty, This View of the Royal Dock Yard at CHATHAM. / Is by PERMISSION and with all Humility, Inscribed By His MAJESTY's most dutiful Subject and Servant, / Rich.d Paton. / [far left] Printed by Hocquet. Size of the Picture 4. ft 10. in by 3. ft 4. in / Publish'd by Royal Authority & as the Law directs London Feb.y 14.th 1775. To be had of R. Paton Wardour Street, Soho. " A fine prospect of Chatham dockyard, Kent, bustling with activity: ships on the water, some in in dry-dock on the far shore, a skeleton of a ship being built to the right of them; carpenters and blacksmiths working on the near bank in the foreground. Two men try to drag a pig across a plank over a gully (lower left) to where people are loading food and drink onto a small ship. The busy docks stretch along the river bend witht he infantry barracks and the Commissioner's House centre right. Richard Paton (1717 - 1791) painted five views of the royal dockyards, in the Royal Collection, in all of which the figures were painted by John Hamilton Mortimer. In 1776 he exhibited at the Royal Academy the views of Rochester and of Deptford docks.
See NMM PAH9712. See BL Maps K.Top.16.42.c. DNB.
[Ref: 21365] £680.00
[Painted by R. Paton, the Figures by J. Mortimer. [right] Engraved by P.C. Canot.]
[R. Paton, Wardour Street., Soho, London, 14 February 1775. ]
Rare etching, working proof from the unfinished plate, laid paper. Image 450 x 650mm (17¾ x 25½"). Trimmed within plate, and to image on three sides. Centrefold crease and nicks to extremities.
An interesting progress proof impression, before the plate was engraved with fine detail. The published state carries the following full title and inscription "TO THE King's most Excellent Majesty, This View of the Royal Dock Yard at CHATHAM. / Is by PERMISSION and with all Humility, Inscribed By His MAJESTY's most dutiful Subject and Servant, / Rich.d Paton. / [far left] Printed by Hocquet. Size of the Picture 4. ft 10. in by 3. ft 4. in / Publish'd by Royal Authority & as the Law directs London Feb.y 14.th 1775. To be had of R. Paton Wardour Street, Soho. " A fine prospect of Chatham dockyard, Kent, bustling with activity: ships on the water, some in in dry-dock on the far shore, a skeleton of a ship being built to the right of them; carpenters and blacksmiths working on the near bank in the foreground. Two men try to drag a pig across a plank over a gully (lower left) to where people are loading food and drink onto a small ship. The busy docks stretch along the river bend witht he infantry barracks and the Commissioner's House centre right. Richard Paton (1717 - 1791) painted five views of the royal dockyards, in the Royal Collection, in all of which the figures were painted by John Hamilton Mortimer. In 1776 he exhibited at the Royal Academy the views of Rochester and of Deptford docks.
See NMM PAH9712. See BL Maps K.Top.16.42.c. DNB.
[Ref: 21365] £680.00
An artists proof; often signed these are impressions issued extra to the regular commercial run and reserved for the artists own use.
For example:
[Zuagli, Bay of Rapallo (Italy).]
Claude H. Rowbotham. [signed in pencil.]
Etching. Edition strictly limited to 100 signed artists proofs. In original mount. Plate: 115 x 150mm (4½ x 6'') very large margins. Marking.
A view of the Bay of Rapallo. An etching by Claude Hamilton Rowbotham (1864-1949) who created a new single plate coloured etching process.
[Ref: 49340] £80.00 (£96.00 incl.VAT)
Claude H. Rowbotham. [signed in pencil.]
Etching. Edition strictly limited to 100 signed artists proofs. In original mount. Plate: 115 x 150mm (4½ x 6'') very large margins. Marking.
A view of the Bay of Rapallo. An etching by Claude Hamilton Rowbotham (1864-1949) who created a new single plate coloured etching process.
[Ref: 49340] £80.00 (£96.00 incl.VAT)
A proof before letters; an impression of the print made before the title is added to the image.
[A cherub blowing bubbles.] [Engrav'd from a Painting by Rubens.]
[Engraved by Captain William Baillie after Peter Paul Rubens.]
[n.d., c.1770.]
Etching, proof before letters. 155 x 115mm (6 x 4½"). Wear in bottom margin.
Etched by Captain William Baillie (1723-1810). Having retired from the army in 1761 he devoted himself to printmaking and dealing, specialising in imitating old-master drawings and prints, using a variety of printmaking techniques.
Ex: collection of the Hon. Christopher Lennox Boyd.
[Ref: 49629] £140.00 (£168.00 incl.VAT)
[Engraved by Captain William Baillie after Peter Paul Rubens.]
[n.d., c.1770.]
Etching, proof before letters. 155 x 115mm (6 x 4½"). Wear in bottom margin.
Etched by Captain William Baillie (1723-1810). Having retired from the army in 1761 he devoted himself to printmaking and dealing, specialising in imitating old-master drawings and prints, using a variety of printmaking techniques.
Ex: collection of the Hon. Christopher Lennox Boyd.
[Ref: 49629] £140.00 (£168.00 incl.VAT)
A scratched title proof; an impression were the title is lightly etched below the image.
For example:
[The Children of Joseph Baggaley Bradshaw.]
Jos. Wright pinxit. Val. Green fecit.
[n.d., c.1769.]
Mezzotint. Scratched proof. Plate: 375 x 475mm (14¾ x 18¾"). Slight repair in lower title on right. Trimmed to plate and laid on card.
A group portrait of three children of Joseph Baggale Bradshaw shown holding a lamb in a rural landscape. After a painting by Joseph Wright of Derby (1734-1797).
CS: 141.
[Ref: 42502] £650.00
A signed proof; where either the engraver or artist or both have written their signatures on the print.
For example:
[Lord Frederick Roberts.]
Copperfield 1915 [pencil signature].
Photogravure, signed proof on Japanese paper. Sheet 690 x 505mm (27¼ x 20"). Some creasing. Slight stain at top.
Equestrian portrait of Field Marshal Frederick Sleigh Roberts (1832-1914), 1st Earl Roberts, who saw service in the Indian Rebellion, Second Afghan War and Second Boer War, probably engraved by Charles Furfe after a photograph by John Copperfield.
[Ref: 51397] £160.00 (£192.00 incl.VAT)
Copperfield 1915 [pencil signature].
Photogravure, signed proof on Japanese paper. Sheet 690 x 505mm (27¼ x 20"). Some creasing. Slight stain at top.
Equestrian portrait of Field Marshal Frederick Sleigh Roberts (1832-1914), 1st Earl Roberts, who saw service in the Indian Rebellion, Second Afghan War and Second Boer War, probably engraved by Charles Furfe after a photograph by John Copperfield.
[Ref: 51397] £160.00 (£192.00 incl.VAT)
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