Lithography is a printing method involving a flat stone surface or a metal plate, which is impressed with the written material. The Bavarian author and actor Alois Senefelder (1771 to 1834) created the lithographic technique as a cheap way to reproduce printed plays in 1796. During the 19th century, it was commonly used for reproductions of the Qur'an in Arabic countries. In the history of printing, lithography was developed after the printing press in 1454 but before modern laser printing methods.
Instructions
1. Study the lithograph, looking for the artist's signature, the manufacturer's name, and any other relevant information. Artists will sometimes put their name and the date in the corner of the lithograph, especially in the case of high-end lithographers. With the artist's name, you can narrow the years in which the artist was productive.
2. Place the lithograph up to a light source. The watermark on the lithograph will give you the manufacturer's name and, very rarely, the date it was produced.
3. Contact the lithograph's manufacturer. You can usually email or call the manufacturer in order to discuss the lithograph model. The manufacturer keeps records, especially dates, that may help you authenticate the lithograph.
4. Have your lithograph authenticated by an auction house, an art historian, or a museum curator. If successful, the authentication process usually results in a certificate.
5. Get the lithograph's value assessed. If you wish to have the lithograph covered in your renter's or homeowner's insurance, you will need to have evidence of the worth of the lithograph, in case it is stolen or accidentally destroyed.
