Does the Edition Number Matter? Low Numbers, No. 1s and Other Collector Myths

For most modern limited edition prints, including Jack Vettriano's, the edition number makes little or no difference to quality or value. Every print in an edition is produced to the same standard, and the number usually reflects the order in which prints were signed and numbered rather than the order in which they were printed.

That said, numbers can still matter to people for personal reasons, and that is perfectly fine. Here we separate the myths from the practical points.

What the edition number tells you

A limited edition print is numbered as a fraction, for example 45/250. The first figure is the number of that particular print. The second is the total size of the main edition.

So the most useful part of the number is often the second figure, not the first. It tells you how many prints exist in the main run. Vettriano editions we stock range from 50 prints, such as The Letter, up to 495, as with Beautiful Dreamer. Our guide to limited editions, open editions and Artist's Proofs explains the basics.

Myth 1: low numbers were printed first

The most common belief is that print number 1 came off the press first and is therefore the "best" impression. This idea comes from older printing methods.

With some traditional techniques, such as etching plates or woodblocks, the plate could wear slightly over a long run, so early impressions were sometimes crisper. Collectors learned to prefer them.

Modern giclée and silkscreen editions do not work in quite the same way. Giclée prints are produced digitally with archival pigment inks, so each one is effectively identical. Silkscreen prints are built up layer by layer, with each colour applied across the whole run before the next, so there is usually no "first finished print" either.

In practice, prints are typically signed and numbered after printing, in whatever order they come from the stack. A print numbered 3 is very unlikely to be better than one numbered 203.

Myth 2: number 1 is always worth more

Some collectors are drawn to the very first number in an edition, and a few will pay extra for it. Whether others will pay the same premium later is far from certain.

The market tends to value the image, the edition size, condition and scarcity. A number 1 print in poor condition will not outperform a well-kept example with a higher number. If you want a No. 1 simply because you like the idea, enjoy it, but do not rely on it as an investment.

Myth 3: the last number is unlucky

The opposite myth says the final number in an edition is somehow inferior. There is no basis for this either. If an edition was printed in one run and signed afterwards, the final number is the same as the rest.

Emotional numbers: when a number really does matter

Where numbers genuinely make a difference is personal meaning. Many collectors look for a print that matches:

• a birthday or wedding date

• the year someone was born

• a house number or a favourite number

• the number of an anniversary

A print numbered to match a 25th anniversary, for example, can make a lovely gift. Just bear in mind that once an edition is selling, specific numbers may already have gone, and stockists cannot always choose which number they receive. If a particular number matters to you, ask before ordering.

Artist's Proofs versus numbered prints

Artist's Proofs are a separate group, usually about 10% of the edition, signed and marked AP rather than numbered within the main run. Some are numbered within their own small group, for example 1/10.

Because there are fewer of them, many collectors are prepared to pay more for an AP. At the time of writing, for example, we offer the main edition of Night Calls at £560 and a Night Calls Artist Proof 1/10 at £4,000. The image is the same; the difference reflects rarity and what collectors are willing to pay for it.

If you are weighing up an AP against a numbered print, read our article on how much Jack Vettriano prints are worth for a wider view of what drives prices.

What matters more than the number

When choosing a print, these factors usually count for far more than its number:

• The image. Popular images tend to stay in demand.

• Edition size. Smaller editions are scarcer by definition.

• Condition. No fading, creases, foxing or damage to the paper.

• Paperwork. A matching certificate of authenticity and proof of purchase.

• Medium and paper. Sold-out silkscreens, for example, are often sought after.

• Sell-out status. Once an edition has sold out from the publisher, examples are only available second-hand.

Practical advice

Choose the image you love first, then think about the edition. If a specific number would add meaning, ask whether it is available, but do not pay a large premium for a low number on the assumption it will be worth more. Look after the print properly, and keep its certificate safe.

Frequently asked questions

Is a lower edition number worth more?

Usually not for modern prints. Giclée and silkscreen editions are typically identical across the run, and numbers are usually assigned at signing rather than in printing order.

Can I choose my edition number?

Sometimes. It depends on what is available in stock. Contact us before ordering if a particular number is important to you.

Is an Artist's Proof better than a numbered print?

The image is the same. An AP is scarcer, and many collectors pay more for that rarity, but it is not a better print as such.

What does 45/250 mean?

It means this is print number 45 in a main edition of 250.

Finding the right print

Whatever number you end up with, the pleasure is in the picture. Browse our limited editions, or get in touch if you are looking for a particular number or an Artist's Proof.