Re: Yoshida print editions

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: : : Are the Toshi Yoshida commemorative prints, : : : (from blocks cut in the 30's and 40's but : : : produced years later) any less valued to : : : collectors? What is the background of these : : : editions? His vibrant colors bring the page to : : : life. : : Hi Scot, : : I think you are referring to the commemorative impressions of a selection of Hiroshi Yoshida's : : prints published by Toshi Yoshida in 1985. Such as the "Azalea Garden" in our current auction. : : These prints are and will continue to be less valuable than the original "JIZURI" edition. : : I can offer a brief explanation of the different editions and their importance to the collector. : : The first edition, was produced by Hiroshi and his specially trained and expert studio. Hiroshi : : took an active role in the production of each print. Sometimes cutting the sensitive blocks himself, : : as well as, printing them when he felt it was needed. He intensely studied and experimented : : with woodblock printmaking. In fact, he wrote a book on the subject. He would scrutinize the : : prints when they were completed and those that he felt were the best that he could produce were : : graced with his "JIZURI" (trans. self-made) seal, stamped in the margin. In his writings he lists : : these editions as 100, normally. They were also hand-signed. In the postwar period, Yoshida was : : quite popular and no longer took an active role in the printing process, leaving that to his studio. : : He would sign the prints, but not use the "JIZURI". After his death, the studio continued to : : print his works with a stamped signature. In 1985, to celebrate a major exhibition of Hiroshi : : Yoshida's prints in Japan, Hiroshi's son, Toshi (an artist in his own right) published a number : : of his father's prints in commemoration, from the original blocks. These prints were of very : : high quality and according to Toshi limited to 300 impressions, while the quality of workmanship : : in the other postwar prints is not at all consistant. : : The fact remains, however, that none achieve the level of greatness exhibited by those produced : : by the artist's own hand. The later editions will continue to be collected as an alternative to : : the first editions and, indeed, have a magic to them. As the first editions disappear completely : : into private collections and museum vaults the later editions will become even more collectible. : : Condition is very important in Hiroshi's work, no matter what edition. In order to fully experience : : his genius, the prints must be in the same state as when they left his studio. In the "JIZURI" the : : color and it's subtle gradations are so sensitive and precise, that the slightest degradation diminishes the : : effect exponentially. Flawless first editions are rare and valuable. Of the later editions, the : : commemorative prints are of a high quality and can be acquired in a flawless state, which is difficult : : with the other late editions. : This is a follow up test.

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