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Value of old signed prints

Old signed print value depends on more than a visible signature. Artist, edition, medium, publisher, paper, condition, authenticity, and demand decide whether the signature matters.

M.C. ESCHER (1898-1972) SIGNED LITHOGRAPH TITLED CYCLE, 22IN x 28IN (56cm x 71cm) sold by The Rug Life Auctions — auction record photograph
Auction-record example: M.C. ESCHER (1898-1972) SIGNED LITHOGRAPH TITLED CYCLE, 22IN x 28IN (56cm x 71cm). Source: The Rug Life Auctions. Separate auction item shown for reference. View auction source.

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One clear answer

Start by identifying whether the signature is in pencil, in the plate, printed, stamped, estate-stamped, or hand-signed. Those are different evidence categories.

Auction records are market evidence, not a final appraisal. Condition, authenticity, provenance, size, medium, edition, subject, and demand can materially change value.

Quick value checklist

  • Photograph the whole work, close details, back, frame or base, signature, labels, condition issues, and scale.
  • Include medium, dimensions, provenance, receipts, certificates, gallery labels, and prior appraisal records.
  • Show damage clearly: fading, tears, cracks, repairs, stains, losses, overpaint, chips, surface wear, or unstable mounting.

Key value drivers

  • Artist, edition, signature type, publisher, paper, image, and condition drive value.
  • Pencil signatures can matter, but only when authenticity and medium are supportable.
  • Posters, reproductions, and later decorative prints may be signed but still modest.

What similar items actually sold for

To help ground this guide in real market activity, here are recent example auction comps from Appraisily’s internal database. These matched sales are market context only, not an object estimate or identification, and they do not guarantee a price for your specific signed lithograph.

Shown USD range: USD 70-USD 6,500. Median of these 9 USD examples: USD 525.

How these auction records were verified

Each row retains its exact source URL, lot identity, retrieval time, access result, and immutable record hash. Live source access was blocked; the exact record matched Appraisily's immutable pipeline provenance. Inspect the public comparable provenance record.

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