Dear Helaine and Joe: I own a limited edition lithograph signed by Salvador Dali and marked "EA," the French way of signifying that the image is an "artist's proof." Any information as to its current value would be welcome. — H.G., San Francisco
Dear H.G.: Let us say right up front that this lithograph needs to be evaluated carefully in person by a recognized specialist in the field. This should not be done from a photograph. Having said that and having thoroughly done our research, we feel that whoever does a proper evaluation will be the bearer of bad news.
Salvador Dali is an icon of modern art, but there is a great deal of doubt, confusion and controversy that surrounds some of his art — particularly his lithographs.
Born in Spain in 1904, Dali was told at an early age that he was the reincarnation of his brother, who had died nine months before Salvador's birth, and this may have influenced his outlook on life and art.
Originally, Dali was a cubist, but about 1929 he switched to surrealism and began to use Freudian images in his art. In simplest terms, the surrealist movement, founded in Paris in 1924 by Andre Breton, attempted to depict the imagination as expressed in dreams.
In pictorial art it centered on the creation of images that are intended to shock through paradox, showing the "real" in totally unreal and alien ways. An example of this might be the representation of harmless fruits and vegetables as monsters ready to devour the unwary.
Over his long career, Dali became celebrated for his paintings, drawings, watercolors, sculpture and jewelry, but he also did designs for ballet and theater. The lithograph in today's question first appeared as an etching in the 1963 book "Deux Fautrasis" and was one of four illustrations.
The original was signed by Dali and Rogt Vallette in the book's colophon (back page of a book that gives information about the publication). The example belonging to H.G. is titled "Digene eu son Tonneau" and was issued in an edition of 99. The "E A" (for "epreuve d' artiste," or artist proof) in the left margin suggests that Dali himself was there when this lithograph was made and that he personally approved the quality and content of this particular image.
In many cases, "E A" lithographs are thought to be special and can command somewhat inflated prices. Unfortunately, our sources say that Dali never authorized the making of this print, was not there when it was made and never signed it.
It likely is what is known as a "restrike," or a copy made from a new plate, and these have little value on the current collector's market. In fact, the specialists we queried were of the opinion that this lithograph has an insurance replacement value of zero.
Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson are the authors of Treasures in Your Attic (HarperCollins, $18). Questions can by mailed to them at P.O. Box 12208, Knoxville, TN 37912-0208.