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Can anyone help me authenticate a Marc Chagall piece?

I'm wondering if anyone could help me authenticate this Marc Chagall Lithograph? From my research it would appear to be the Jerusalem Windows Tribe of Issachar lithograph. In the bottom left corner it is marked H.C. for Hors Commerce "Not for sale" and then signed in the bottom right. I've found that there were 150 numbered pieces 1 - 150, another 150 in Roman Numerals and 10 artist proofs. The colour of the other pieces I've seen are different than mine (all others I've seen are green). I'm wondering if this was an early proof that he later changed before the final work was complete or is it a fake? The signature is extremely close to others I've seen with the exception that he hasn't underlined his name. I have seen a few examples in my research showing his signature without the underlining at the end of the last L.

Tags: Chagall, Marc

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the sig , imo , looks rather strange . Have you purchased it?

Hi Michelle,

The piece is hanging on my grandparents wall. My late grandfather was an avid collector of many art pieces a lot of which he bought in Switzerland. He has numerous Chagall books in his library as well so I'm really not sure what to think. He also has a Bible, Adam and Eve unsigned piece hanging up.

Adam and Eve haven't signed for years, so I'm glad he bought an unsigned print. So many buyers have been disappointed.

Jeff,

If you're considering selling it, an auction house will often have the signature checked at no cost to you before you send it to them.

Thank you Steve much appreciated.

I contacted Christie's in New York and their response was "based on the information you provided (same as what I posted here), your property does not appear to fall into a property category or value level that Christie's currently handles for sale. For that reason, our specialists are not able to suggest an estimate or provide other information.

I take from that response that they are either saying it's fake, they don't know, aren't interested because it isn't worth enough or all of the above LOL. I was hoping someone might be able to (with relative certainty) say one way or another so I can let my grandmother know. 

Michelle was kind enough to say it looks strange to her, but without elaborating as to why.

I appreciate everyone's input and time. Thank you!!!

You can try Heritage Auctions (www.ha.com) and RR Auction (www.rrauction.com). Check their sales results on similar prints before you consign.

Thanks for those suggestions I have not previously heard of them. I will definitely check with them.

Thanks for your help!

I agree with Michelle. The signature looks strange to me also.

I have a number of authenticated Chagall signed pieces, including a print, photo, postcard
and document.

I’ll get the, out of storage and scan the signatures for comparison.

Sincerely, Richard.
Thanks Richard. I was reading on one companies site that Chagall was forged so often that they won't authenticate his work anymore.

After comparing other signatures of his from lithographs on rrauction.com as per Steve's suggestion, the r in Marc is definitely different and the lack of underlining his name is definitely different as well. I was hoping that maybe because the item was marked Hors Commerce that it might have been rushed or a shortcut version of his signature.
Since you’re hoping to sell it, send pics to RR and see what they say.
I will submit it to them tomorrow for their review and see what they say. I should pull it off the wall and see if the back has anything on it as well as take measurements.

No need to do that yet. Send them images first, especially a crisp, hi-res closeup of the signature. If they say they don't think it's good, then you can keep it framed on the wall.

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