AI Appraisal Estimate

This item is an original pencil-signed color lithograph titled 'Two Heads' by the renowned American sculptor and artist Alexander Calder (1898–1976). Produced in 1974, this specific piece is designated as an 'Artist Proof' (E.A. or Artist's Proof), according to the accompanying certificate of authenticity, and belongs to a limited edition series of only 90 impressions. The certificate of guarantee, issued by the Distinctive Graphic Arts Corp., features a classic green guilloché border and is hand-signed by an official representative. The document is currently affixed to a tan-colored backing board or frame dust cover using several strips of adhesive tape. The paper of the certificate shows some age-related toning, minor creases, and tattered edges consistent with its mid-1970s origin. Calder's lithographs from this 20th-century Modernist period are highly valued for their bold use of primary colors, whimsical line-work, and biomorphic shapes reflecting the kinetic energy of his mobile sculptures. As an Artist Proof, this work represents a subset of the edition typically reserved for the artist's personal use or special distribution, often carrying higher collectibility. The craftsmanship of the publishing house, combined with Calder's iconic signature, marks this as a significant mid-century modern graphic work.

Based on my examination of the digital images and the provided description, this lithograph titled 'Two Heads' (1974) by Alexander Calder appears to be a legitimate graphic work from the artist's late career. The piece features Calder's characteristic bold primary colors and fluid, biomorphic abstraction. The presence of a pencil signature and an 'E.A.' (Épreuve d'Artiste) or Artist Proof annotation is significant. Artist Proofs, distinct from the designated edition of 90, often carry a slight premium among collectors due to their scarcity and proximity to the artist's personal archive. The accompanying Certificate of Authenticity (COA) from Distinctive Graphic Arts Corp., while period-correct, is a generic gallery certificate rather than a scholarly catalogue raisonné documentation, though its aging is consistent with the mid-1970s. The tape marks on the document suggest the backing materials are original, but this raises concerns about the acid content of the framing materials potentially affecting the print itself. Comparable sales for Calder color lithographs of this size and period typically fluctuate between $1,000 and $2,500 depending on condition. To achieve the higher end of this estimate, the paper must be free of light staining, foxing, or corrugated mat burn, which I cannot fully confirm without removing the work from the frame. For a definitive authentication, an in-person inspection is required to verify the ink layering (ensuring it is a true lithograph and not an offset reproduction) and to examine the paper watermark (typically Arches or Rives BFK). Without this physical review, this value assumes the print is visually sound and unfaded.