L S LOWRY PRINTS
AN INTRODUCTION
Have you ever wondered what your piece of L S Lowry Print is worth?
Find out more about the history L S Lowry prints and get in touch using the form below for a free valuation.
An Introduction to L S Lowry Prints
Laurence Stephen Lowry, the artist synonymous for his matchstick men, is now becoming better known for his record prices at auction. Interest in the Northern artist has gathered momentum over the last five years, helped along by the ‘Lowry and the Painting of Modern Life’ exhibition at the Tate in 2013.
With his oil paintings now regularly making several million pounds (the record is £5,600,000 for ‘Piccadilly Circus, London’) it is no surprise that the prints that Lowry produced are also making very substantial figures at auction. A print of ‘Going to the Match’ was sold for £22,000 in 2015 and many of his other prints often make £1,000-5,000 at auction.
In many cases his prints are now making more than original pencil drawings, a fact which possibly indicates that the market is due for a ‘correction’. As such we would advise anyone with a Lowry print to consign it for sale now, at the very top of the market, rather than on the other side of the curve when prices are falling.
Free L S Lowry Print Valuations
We can advise the value of your Lowry print and help you find the best place to sell it, taking care of all the administration and logistics too. So if you have a Lowry print and you would like a valuation please contact us for more information.
The Fine Art Trade Guild
Most Lowry prints feature what is called a ‘blind stamp’ which is an image, design or lettering on an art print or book formed by creating a depression in the paper or other material.
The blind stamps that are found on Lowry Prints are often by the Fine Art Trade Guild which consists of a rectangular box with an image of a gentleman, followed by three letters.
The Fine Art Trade Guild blind stamp will be on the left of the image if it has a signature by the artist and will be in the centre of the image on unsigned editions. The Fine Art Trade Guild are a trade association founded in 1847 and its major objective was ensuring the highest standards in print publishing, framing and trading in fine art.
Publishers and Printers
Lowry prints were published by a large number of galleries and institutions including Venture Prints Ltd, Adam Collection Ltd and even the Sunday Observer. The publishers were those who promoted the sale of the prints and did not actually print them. This was taken care of by printers such as The Curwen Press and Max Jaffe. You are not likely to find information about who printed or published the print on the actual print itself.
Editions
Lowry prints were released in editions from as little as 75 up to 850. Quite often the print will have a pencil number indicating what number of the edition the print is from, such as 115/850, implying this was print 115 from a total edition of 850. However, not all of the editions are numbered, so this can be a good way to spot a fake.
A lower or higher number does not necessarily imply a higher or lower selling price, except in the case of the prints which were only issued in editions of 75 such as the series of Lithographs that were released in the 1960’s. These are very commercial.
Signatures
Contrary to popular belief not all Lowry prints should be signed, however the majority are. The signature on a Lowry print should be in the lower margin of the image beneath the print itself. This signature will be in pencil. There will also be a signature on the print itself but this the signature from the original painting and is merely a reproduction like the rest of the image. The signature in the margin is by Lowry.
The combination of the inclusion or exclusion of the signature, Fine Art Trade Guild Stamp and edition number are all indicators of whether the print is genuine or not.
Frames
Lowry prints are often found in narrow metallic coloured frames and these are often the original frames. A print will often make less if it is not in its original frame so we recommend keeping the print in the original frame even if it is in poor condition.
Condition
Lowry prints have a tendency to fade and this has a big impact on their value. This is primarily as a result of poor quality inks used in the printing process but can also be caused by over exposure to the sun.
It is the degree of fading which often explains the relative paradox of seeing two ‘identical’ prints make differing sums of money at auction. They may look similar on a computer screen but when seen in the saleroom they may appear very different.
Receive a free valuation for your L S Lowry Print
How we can help you sell your Lowry Print
Mark Littler Ltd. are one of the only independent advisers in the antique industry. We offer trusted, independent advice to help you sell your signed Lowry print for the highest possible price.
If you have a signed Lowry print you may be considering selling at auction. An auction can be one of the best ways to sell your collection, however, not all auctions are equal so care must be taken when considering which auction house to use. The use of ‘the internet’ is not the universal leveller that many salerooms will lead you to believe. We can make a personal introduction to the best saleroom based on your location free of charge. You can then be assured your print will sell for the highest possible price.
If we think it will be more beneficial to you, we can also negotiate private sales, which can save you considerably in commission. Private sales can also be completed swiftly and you will get paid more quickly than if you sell via an auction.
Selling your Lowry Print with Mark Littler Ltd.
Send us details about your print directly via email or use the form below.
We contact our international network of customers for the best offers.
If you decide to proceed with an offer we issue you with a contract.
Send us your print. We have a fully insured courier service available.
We complete the sale with the buyer and send your funds via BACS.
PAST SALES
L S Lowry Limited Edition Prints
We have developed a niche helping clients sell their L S Lowry Limited edition prints. We have sold over 150 in the last year.
Where possible we sell privately achieving on average 35% more than had they been sold at auction. We have a waiting list of clients looking for L S Lowry limited edition prints and we launched an online brokering service in January 2017. Where no private sale can be sought we enter the prints into auction, ensuring they are placed into an auction house with the right knowledge and expertise to ensure they make the most possible.
See below for a few examples of the prints we have helped to find buyers for.
Have you ever wondered what your L S Lowry print is worth?
Use this guide to find out more or get in touch using the form below for a free valuation.
An Introduction to L S Lowry Prints & How to Sell
Laurence Stephen Lowry, the artist synonymous for his matchstick men, is now becoming better known for his record prices at auction. Interest in the Northern artist has gathered momentum over the last five years, helped along by the ‘Lowry and the Painting of Modern Life’ exhibition at the Tate in 2013.
With his oil paintings now regularly making several million pounds (the record is £5,600,000 for ‘Piccadilly Circus, London’) it is no surprise that the prints that Lowry produced are also making very substantial figures at auction. A print of ‘Going to the Match’ was sold for £22,000 in 2015 and many of his other prints often make £1,000-5,000 at auction.
In many cases his prints are now making more than original pencil drawings, a fact which possibly indicates that the market is due for a ‘correction’. As such we would advise anyone with a Lowry print to consign it for sale now, at the very top of the market, rather than on the other side of the curve when prices are falling.
Free L S Lowry Print Valuations
We can advise the value of your Lowry print and help you find the best place to sell it, taking care of all the administration and logistics too. So if you have a Lowry print and you would like a valuation please contact us for more information.
The Fine Art Trade Guild
Most Lowry prints feature what is called a ‘blind stamp’ which is an image, design or lettering on an art print or book formed by creating a depression in the paper or other material.
The blind stamps that are found on Lowry Prints are often by the Fine Art Trade Guild which consists of a rectangular box with an image of a gentleman, followed by three letters.
The Fine Art Trade Guild blind stamp will be on the left of the image if it has a signature by the artist and will be in the centre of the image on unsigned editions. The Fine Art Trade Guild are a trade association founded in 1847 and its major objective was ensuring the highest standards in print publishing, framing and trading in fine art.
Publishers and Printers
Lowry prints were published by a large number of galleries and institutions including Venture Prints Ltd, Adam Collection Ltd and even the Sunday Observer. The publishers were those who promoted the sale of the prints and did not actually print them. This was taken care of by printers such as The Curwen Press and Max Jaffe. You are not likely to find information about who printed or published the print on the actual print itself.
Editions
Lowry prints were released in editions from as little as 75 up to 850. Quite often the print will have a pencil number indicating what number of the edition the print is from, such as 115/850, implying this was print 115 from a total edition of 850. However, not all of the editions are numbered, so this can be a good way to spot a fake.
A lower or higher number does not necessarily imply a higher or lower selling price, except in the case of the prints which were only issued in editions of 75 such as the series of Lithographs that were released in the 1960’s. These are very commercial.
Signatures
Contrary to popular belief not all Lowry prints should be signed, however the majority are. The signature on a Lowry print should be in the lower margin of the image beneath the print itself. This signature will be in pencil. There will also be a signature on the print itself but this the signature from the original painting and is merely a reproduction like the rest of the image. The signature in the margin is by Lowry.
The combination of the inclusion or exclusion of the signature, Fine Art Trade Guild Stamp and edition number are all indicators of whether the print is genuine or not.
Frames
Lowry prints are often found in narrow metallic coloured frames and these are often the original frames. A print will often make less if it is not in its original frame so we recommend keeping the print in the original frame even if it is in poor condition.
Condition
Lowry prints have a tendency to fade and this has a big impact on their value. This is primarily as a result of poor quality inks used in the printing process but can also be caused by over exposure to the sun.
It is the degree of fading which often explains the relative paradox of seeing two ‘identical’ prints make differing sums of money at auction. They may look similar on a computer screen but when seen in the saleroom they may appear very different.
See below for a few examples of the prints we have helped to find buyers for.
Receive a free valuation for your L S Lowry Print
How we can help you sell your Lowry Print
Mark Littler Ltd. are one of the only independent advisers in the antique industry. We offer trusted, independent advice to help you sell your signed Lowry print for the highest possible price.
If you have a signed Lowry print you may be considering selling at auction. An auction can be one of the best ways to sell your collection, however, not all auctions are equal so care must be taken when considering which auction house to use. The use of ‘the internet’ is not the universal leveller that many salerooms will lead you to believe. We can make a personal introduction to the best saleroom based on your location free of charge. You can then be assured your print will sell for the highest possible price.
If we think it will be more beneficial to you, we can also negotiate private sales, which can save you considerably in commission. Private sales can also be completed swiftly and you will get paid more quickly than if you sell via an auction.
Selling your Lowry Print with Mark Littler Ltd.
Send us details about your bottle directly via email or use the form below.
We contact our international network of customers for the best offers.
If you decide to proceed with an offer we issue you with a contract.
Send us your bottle. We have a fully insured courier service available.
We complete the sale with the buyer and send your funds via BACS.
PAST SALES
L S Lowry Limited Edition Prints
We have developed a niche helping clients sell their L S Lowry Limited edition prints. We have sold over 150 in the last year.
Where possible we sell privately achieving on average 35% more than had they been sold at auction. We have a waiting list of clients looking for L S Lowry limited edition prints and we launched an online brokering service in January 2017. Where no private sale can be sought we enter the prints into auction, ensuring they are placed into an auction house with the right knowledge and expertise to ensure they make the most possible.