How to recognize a Rutger ten Broeke limited edition print:
In the years prior to 1990, when collecting photography in the Netherlands was not yet common amongst art lovers, Rutger usually printed one or two good prints from one negative, which he did not number, only signed. With the exception of a few editions, one he printed for Agfa, the other for de Volkskrant. Both he printed in editions of 25, the numerical sequence of which was marked on the back of the prints with pencil.
Only after 2009 Rutger started to indicate editions in his printing, that is to say he destined a maximum amount of prints per negative, of which he printed just a few for a start. Typically the editions, depending on the print size amount to 5, 15 or 25 prints.
From each promising negative Rutger first makes a 18 x 24cm. ( 7"x 9,5" ) work print. These prints amount to single pieces, are not numbered, only provided with a work title and a number ( in pencil, on the back ).
For instance: 12/132.10 means: negative produced in 2012, contact sheet #132, negative #10
In case of larger size negatives where the max. amount of negatives is 4, an alphabetic sequence is used, For instance: 14/150.a means: negative produced in 2014, contact sheet # 150, negative #a
When Rutger decides a certain negative is worth printing, he makes a limited series of 30 x 40cm ( 12" x 16" ) prints, with the same identification as the work print, but in addition with title and signature. Besides the signed edition, depending on the complexity of the given print, he produces a small series of signed, but not numbered Artists Proofs ( AP ), to experiment and to find out what is the proper printing procedure for the negative involved. These AP's seldom exceed the amount of 4. They are marked: " AP " and signed.
The largest sizes of prints, made by the photographer on an analogue basis are 40 x 50cm ( 16" x 20" ) and 50 x 60cm ( 20" x 25" ). These are made when Rutger finds that the image requires a larger size to get its full expression. The bigger sizes are never made in editions larger than 10. This is the full extend of fibre based, silver halide ( darkroom ) prints that Rutger ten Broeke produces.
On occasion Rutger ten Broeke has negatives digitized by specialists, to produce prints, larger than 50 x 60cm. Corporate art buyers and private collectors with ample wall space favor larger image sizes than Rutger ten Broeke is able to produce in his dark room. These are digital prints, produced in the professional printing lab of Rene Bierman, printed under supervision of the artist in very limited editions, signed and numbered in the white margin, under the image.
As a rule: All prints, 50 x 60, and smaller, pencil notes and signature on the back, are darkroom prints. All prints, larger than 50 x 60cm, notes and signature with pen on the margin, are digital.
In the past, before digital publishing became standard, publishers and editors required 18 x 24cm or 24 x 30cm prints for publication. Rutger ten Broeke printed these " Reproduction Press Prints " ( with a few FB exceptions ) on Resin Coated ( RC ) "Plastic" paper. They were destined for reproduction purposes only and had to be destroyed after use, or returned to the author. They are typically not signed, but have title and author's name on the back, written with pen or marker. Usually Copyright or © Rutger ten Broeke was included.
Notwithstanding the agreement to destroy or return, some of these prints appeared in auctions and collections lately. It has to be stressed that they represent no commercial or collectors value and that possessing them is illegal. They were not produced in accordance with the high archival standards Rutger ten Broeke maintains and offering them for sale or auction is punishable by law.