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Author
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Topic: NASA lithographs vs. NASA photographs
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wmk
Member Posts: 76
From: Carlsbad, CA
Registered: Nov 2007
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posted 03-19-2008 12:20 AM
   
I am looking for a brief description of what a NASA Lithograph is. For example, how does a NASA lithograph differ from an original NASA photograph on Kodak paper. Is there a significant difference in value and quality? I see both mentioned frequently and I'd like to know what the distinction is. Thanks. |
Mike Dixon
Member Posts: 1397
From: Kew, Victoria, Australia
Registered: May 2003
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posted 03-19-2008 01:23 AM
The quick answer to your question is that lithographs are (more or less) mass produced whereas "glossies" are not courtesy of the costs of distribution.Accordingly, you can guarantee which versions of the same portraits are worth more in the marketplace. In terms of quality, lithographs are certainly inferior, however for many collectors (myself included) they're fine. The glossies that really hold some significant appeal (at least for me anyway) are those that are not committed to a litho print run. |
spaced out
Member Posts: 3110
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 03-19-2008 03:02 AM
If you look closely at a lithograph you'll see the image is made up of a pattern of colored dots. The resulting image is nowhere near as sharp as a photographic print.NASA printed their lithos in vast quantities but numbered press photo runs were produced in much smaller (although still significant) runs. You'll struggle to find a NASA litho that will sell for more than $1 to maybe $5. The only exceptions I'm aware of are a few of the WSS portrait glossies. John Young's WSS portrait litho is an example that sells for significant money. |
Russ Still
Member Posts: 535
From: Atlanta, GA USA
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-19-2008 09:34 AM
Lithographs are created on inked printing presses using a process called "four-color". Same thing the newspapers do essentially.Photographs are produced chemically on light-sensitive paper. Lithos were produced by NASA primarily as souvenirs. Because of their low resolution, they aren't much good as source material for publications. Photos were produced so that the press could reproduce the images at a higher quality. NASA used to be really good about sending out photos when requested. Now that they have virtually all of their images digitized, they prefer that media outlets download the images to save money (for NASA). ------------------
www.spaceracerelics.com |
wmk
Member Posts: 76
From: Carlsbad, CA
Registered: Nov 2007
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posted 03-27-2008 02:24 AM
Thanks guys. That was very helpful! |
Philip
Member Posts: 5952
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 03-27-2008 02:29 PM
An additional remark: NASA lithos can not be scanned in high resolution due to the pixels  |
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