Artist’s Proofs

Two hundred and thirty-nine full color art plates, comprising over 3,800 individual figures, make up the backbone of perhaps the most lavishly illustrated bird guide ever produced—SEABIRDS: The New Identification Guide. Peter Harrison’s artwork is cherished by followers and fans, and featured in many private art collections around the world.

Artist’s Proofs date back to the 1500s when the artist was given a portion of the editions (to sell) as payment for his work. In the past, the artist’s proof was often unfinished, an impression of what it was to become. Today, the term is usually used to describe the impression of a finished work. The artist normally sets aside a limited number of impressions.

In the case of the 239 seabird art plates, each impression is limited to just 100 and bears the name of the artist, the edition number, the edition size, plus a title. Convention dictates that these must all be completed in pencil, starting at lower left. Thus, for example: “15/100, Adélie Penguin and Chinstrap Penguin, Harrison 2017” indicates that the impression in hand is 15th in the series of 100 and that the work is signed and approved by the artist, Harrison, in the year 2017. The artist’s name and signature on an Artist’s Proof can increase the value by 3- or even 4-fold as it is the “mark of approval” and attests to its authenticity.

View or download the full list of 239 Artist's Proofs.