Reproductions, forgeries and originals
The RJW collection is a collection of reproductions, i.e. reprints or copies, of old copper engravings and woodcuts. Each reproduction is carefully restored and printed for the purpose of being sold as reproductions.
Some of them have been sold to museums, but not as being purported to be an original. Sometimes they have been shown in connection with an exhibition, where an original was too difficult to find, or to show a print in its entirety, where perhaps only parts of an original were available. In other cases, they have been sold in the store.
A reproduction must not claim to be an original, that would be producing a forgery. And sometimes it can be so difficult to see for sure. The reason for that is not that fakes are being produced on an assembly line these days, but that reprints and copies were already being made when the original was produced. We always indicate the year Robert printed his works, if possible. And if we don't know for sure, we make an educated guess.
What distinguishes our prints from modern copies, of which there are several suppliers, is that they have been carefully retouched to remove folds, blemishes in the paper and so that they do not look like just a printed copy of an old map. Because a printed copy, with a "fold" in the print, will always look like a planchette. The same applies to a printed yellow tone or marks imitating holes. But having said that, of course it can also be atmospheric, but that's not what we sell.
Our prints carry two stories, both the original and its creators. And often there is accompanying information about our prints. But it is also the story of Robert Johann Weisz who was the one who selected, retouched and printed our range.
Originals appear from time to time at auction houses worldwide. Sometimes they are cheap, and sometimes really expensive. It all depends on the demand, condition of the print, popularity and how common the print is. But the pricing of an original is not a yardstick we use when pricing our prints. Because they are not the same product.
So when you buy a print from us, you get an art print on a fantastic paper. But it's not original. And no record either.
Some of them have been sold to museums, but not as being purported to be an original. Sometimes they have been shown in connection with an exhibition, where an original was too difficult to find, or to show a print in its entirety, where perhaps only parts of an original were available. In other cases, they have been sold in the store.
A reproduction must not claim to be an original, that would be producing a forgery. And sometimes it can be so difficult to see for sure. The reason for that is not that fakes are being produced on an assembly line these days, but that reprints and copies were already being made when the original was produced. We always indicate the year Robert printed his works, if possible. And if we don't know for sure, we make an educated guess.
What distinguishes our prints from modern copies, of which there are several suppliers, is that they have been carefully retouched to remove folds, blemishes in the paper and so that they do not look like just a printed copy of an old map. Because a printed copy, with a "fold" in the print, will always look like a planchette. The same applies to a printed yellow tone or marks imitating holes. But having said that, of course it can also be atmospheric, but that's not what we sell.
Our prints carry two stories, both the original and its creators. And often there is accompanying information about our prints. But it is also the story of Robert Johann Weisz who was the one who selected, retouched and printed our range.
Originals appear from time to time at auction houses worldwide. Sometimes they are cheap, and sometimes really expensive. It all depends on the demand, condition of the print, popularity and how common the print is. But the pricing of an original is not a yardstick we use when pricing our prints. Because they are not the same product.
So when you buy a print from us, you get an art print on a fantastic paper. But it's not original. And no record either.