Vintages

“[Vintage is] a term used to describe a print made by the photographer, or under the photographer's supervision, during the period in which the picture was taken. It is to be distinguished from later modern prints, which are made later in the photographer's life, or estate prints, which are made posthumously. These distinctions have been used in the art market since 1970s to emphasize the value of particular prints. For collectors, vintage prints are the most sought-after, because of their rarity and historical significance.”

Definition from: The Thames and Hudson Dictionary of Photography

While there is a common understanding that the designation "vintage" is used for the earliest prints from a negative – those made within a few years of the negative itself – there is no clear agreement on how long after the image was taken a print thereof can be considered truly "vintage". It is common amongst top photo specialists and dealers, though, to work with a 5 year limit; meaning that prints made within those first five years can be called truly "vintage"; which allows for marginal errors of a year or two since the exact time of printing can't always be narrowed down enough. Everything beyond this 5-year limit would then be considered an "early print".

While most definitions state that a vintage print is either made by the artist or under the artist's direct supervision, René Groebli did make all the prints himself and within two years of the negative's original creation. All these prints bear the Vintage label, which the artist has applied himself, usually in pencil. They are all signed and stamped with the artist's personal stamp. Sometimes the prints also feature additional notes.

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Vintages

VINTAGE PRINTS BY RENÉ GROEBLI

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