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Permalink Reply by Findbooks on March 1, 2024 at 2:08pm

Proofs are the first examples in a print run and therefore the print quality is usually better.  They are not usually offered for sale at the time of publication. In an edition of 100, say, there will only be a small number of proofs and they will be numbered differently - with roman numerals, e.g. or even lettered.

This is why a lithograph or etching, for example, would be considered more desirable - by some. 

There are so many hi-tech printing methods nowadays, however, that I doubt proofs would be any better - quality wise - so it is a bit of a manufactured distinction, There's a 100 or a 1000 in the print run but only 10 proofs. They are selling exclusivity, basically - at least that's what it sounds like in respect of a very modern item,

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Permalink Reply by Rich on March 1, 2024 at 3:43pm

I bought a Florence and the Machine signed one years ago, straight from the artist who designed it (and the Lungs cover).. It really wasn't any different than the other ones from what I could tell (other than it wasn't numbered), and the price wasn't a ton higher from what I recall. I doubt any of these are worth 3x the price of the others, but I don't know tons about them.

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Permalink Reply by michelle on March 1, 2024 at 9:16pm

Many thanks Rich and Findbooks.

Here is the signed proof

https://soundwavesartfoundation.com/collections/keane/products/kean...

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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo on March 1, 2024 at 9:24pm

I like that. I don't know anything about the value.

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Permalink Reply by michelle on March 1, 2024 at 10:11pm

yes it was nice

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Permalink Reply by Rich on March 1, 2024 at 9:32pm

Ah, Soundwaves kind of feels like they're in their own category as far as these kind of things go. I have a friend who's actually bought a number of things from them. I'll ask her what she knows about the artist proofs.

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Permalink Reply by michelle on March 1, 2024 at 10:09pm

Thanks Rich.  There is only one left at a staggering $800.  The signed ones without the proof were $300 but I wasnt quick enough

https://soundwavesartfoundation.com/collections/keane/products/kean...

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Permalink Reply by Rich on March 2, 2024 at 9:45am

According to her, they aren't really higher quality - just rarer, hence the premium. She has a few originals (huge and expensive), and artist proof and a few other prints.

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Permalink Reply by michelle on March 2, 2024 at 10:00am

Thanks for asking Rich, appreciate it.  So is it marked as artists proof to show that is what it is as I cant see any difference between the original Keane one and the artists proof?  The originals are very expensive items to own. I did like this particular Keane one

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Permalink Reply by Rich on March 2, 2024 at 10:05am

Those originals are 4 feet x 4 feet and a framing nightmare. My friend has most of hers in storage.

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Permalink Reply by Stepeanut on March 1, 2024 at 11:12pm

I own a couple of artist’s proofs of limited edition gig posters.  For example, this one for the Manchester band PINS:

There was a numbered edition of this poster, but mine just says the name of the artist, Tommy Davidson, and the letters “AP”.  I bought mine directly from the band, who signed it for me as well.

There is plenty of information about artist’s proofs online, including a Wikipedia page:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artist's_proof

Whilst there is a price bump for the exclusivity of owning an artist’s proof, it’s generally not in the range we’re talking about with the Keane print you’re looking at.  In my opinion, it would have to be for a particularly sought-after artist, and differ in some significant way from the final edition, to justify a 3x price hike.

As always with these things, it depends how much you like the band and the artwork.  From a purely financial perspective, I don’t think it’s worth that kind of money, but if they’re your favourite band ever and the image really speaks to you ….

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