Salvador Dalí - the complete ‘Dalinean horse suite’ - 18 vintage lithographs

This is an absolutely stunning portfolio of 18 original (not an offset print) stone lithographs by Salvador Dalí. The portfolio is called the 'Dalinean horses suite' (La cheval de la mort), a series that consisted of a number of works with a horse as its central theme. The portfolio is produced on high quality Arches vellum ragpaper and was published in 1983 by Armand et Georges Israel Editeurs in Paris, France (Copyright SPADEM). The set was produced in a limited run of 4980 pieces, with some published in a book with text and some in loose portfolios. The set we are selling were from a portfolio, which are more valuable than those removed from books. Our photos are good but do not come close to capturing the full beauty of the colours - lithography at its best.

The lithographs have never been framed. They have been stored in appropriate conditions as part of a serious private collection. They were acquired when published and have not changed hands since. Each lithograph is signed with the Arches watermark (see image below), the Georges Israel embossed blind stamp (the series editor), the Spadem signature and the individual title of each piece. The set is referenced in 'The Official Catalog of the Graphic Works of Salvador Dalí' [Albert Fields].

Individually each lithograph would sell for around £650 in London galleries (£11,700 total for the set), and often more, which makes my price for the suite incredibly good value, especially since it is an opportunity to aquire the whole suite from one original owner.

This beautiful suite of art comes from the private collection of Stephen Baring. The collection comprises two inherited collections plus twenty five years of personal collecting.

Lithography
A lithograph is not just a cheap mass produced print. The process dates from 1796 and is far more complicated and therefore valuable. Lithography is a method for printing using a stone (lithographic limestone) or a metal plate with a completely smooth surface. Invented in 1796 by German author and actor Alois Senefelder as a method of publishing theatrical works, lithography can be used to print text or artwork onto paper or other suitable material.

Lithography originally used an image drawn (etched) into a coating of wax or an oily substance applied to a plate of lithographic stone as the medium to transfer ink to a blank paper sheet, and so produce a printed page. In modern lithography, the image is made of a polymer coating applied to a flexible aluminum plate. To print an image lithographically, the flat surface of the stone plate is roughened slightly etched and divided into hydrophilic regions that accept a film of water, and thereby repel the greasy ink; and hydrophobic regions that repel water and accept ink because the surface tension is greater on the greasy image area, which remains dry. The image can be printed directly from the plate (the orientation of the image is reversed), or it can be offset, by transferring the image onto a flexible sheet (rubber) for printing and publication.

A beautiful and valuable suite of lithographs that will be much admired framed in your home or office. Will provide an excellent financial investment as well as a possession to enjoy. You are welcome to return for a full refund if you are not entirely happy. Also, please feel free to view at our central London showroom.