Overview
A rare printer's proof lithograph featuring a masterful montage of 20th-century cultural icons, including Mikhail Baryshnikov, Whoopi Goldberg, and Luciano Pavarotti.
Identification
Al Hirschfeld 'The Line King' Lithograph, Printer's Proof
Photo reference
4 uploaded photos
Story
Al Hirschfeld defined the visual language of American theater for nearly eighty years, capturing the kinetic energy of performers with an unmatched economy of line.
Maker / Origin
For decades, Hirschfeld worked from a vintage barber chair in his New York studio, exclusively represented by the Margo Feiden Galleries who published his fine art lithographs.
Condition & Value
The presence of a clear, unsmudged pencil signature and an intact publisher's blindstamp are paramount; these features secure its value as a fine art multiple rather than a commercial poster. The paper appears to be in excellent condition with no visible foxing, tears, or light-staining.
Full Research
See what it's actually worth.
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Market Analysis
The valuation is anchored by a blend of direct and highly comparable auction sales for Hirschfeld's signed lithographs. Standard numbered editions of the 'Self-Portrait at 90' (The Line King) consistently realize between $400 and $600 at auction, as seen in the May 2021 RR Auction results. However, 'Printer's Proofs' (PP) command a premium due to their scarcity and direct association with the production approval process. Comparable Printer's Proofs of highly recognizable subjects—such as 'My Fair Lady' ($600–$800, Alex Cooper) and 'Fred Astaire' ($1,039, Alex Cooper)—demonstrate that authenticated PP impressions reliably anchor in the $600 to $1,200 range. Because this piece features his most definitive self-portrait and retains the crucial publisher's blindstamp, it sits confidently in the upper half of his print market pricing tier.
Value Drivers
▲ Designation as a 'Printer's Proof' (PP), making it rarer than the standard numbered edition.
▲ Hand-signed in pencil by Al Hirschfeld.
▲ Presence of the embossed publisher's blindstamp in the lower-left corner, serving as a critical authenticity marker.
▲ Depicts 'The Line King' self-portrait, arguably his most famous and recognizable personal image.
Concerns
▼ Condition of the paper (any hidden foxing, mat burn, or light-fading not visible in the provided details could reduce value).
▼ Lack of the original Margo Feiden Galleries Certificate of Authenticity (though the blindstamp significantly mitigates this risk).
Best Venue
Swann Auction Galleries or Heritage Auctions (Illustration Art department)
Upside Potential
If the impression is exceptionally crisp and the paper is in pristine, archival condition without any acid burn from prior framing, competitive bidding among theater collectors could push the hammer price toward $1,200.
Authenticity Notice
Medium-High risk. Because Hirschfeld's work was widely reproduced as commercial posters and unsigned prints, verification of the pencil signature and the blindstamp is essential. The owner's confirmation of the embossed logo strongly supports authenticity, effectively separating this piece from lower-value mechanical reproductions.
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