Posted by John Fiorillo on June 12, 2001 at 18:04:15:
In Reply to: Re: a real hiroshige print? posted by James on May 29, 2001 at 02:04:30:
ames,
I see that I never got around to responding to your last question. The key block line differences could be small but they would be noticeable, at least in a few places, most often in the carving of inscriptions or complicated contour lines. It is true that very small variations might be due sometimes to printing differences off the same block (e.g., different papers and absorption properties, rubbing pressure, pigment concentration), but those differences are generally quite small. Color block differences are not to be used for definitive comparisons, as they too often involve significant differences, omissions, additions, and so on.
As for a good, large illustration, I don't know of one that would be easily accessible. If I can locate a useful one I'll let you know, but as this is a triptych, it is typically found in too small an illustration size to be of much use to you.
I do not follow the ukiyo-e reproduction business, but I do know that repros are still being made. Whether your image, if not an original, was made recently or some time ago, I do not know. As for monetary value, I also cannot say.
John