FAQs

Authenticity & Rarity

1. What makes Lumenrare prints unique?
Every work offered by Lumenrare is an original antique print—never a reproduction. Each piece has survived centuries, representing a fragment of natural history, science, or art from the 1500s to 1800s.

2. How do I know the prints are genuine?
Each print undergoes detailed provenance research and scholarly verification. We cross-reference museum holdings, bibliographies, and auction records to confirm authenticity and rarity.

3. How rare are these works?
Many Lumenrare prints are held only in a few institutional or private collections worldwide. We reference comparable auction results and known edition counts wherever available.

4. What period do your prints cover?
Our core collection spans the Renaissance to the Enlightenment—approximately 1550 to 1800—including works by Aldrovandi, Mattioli, Moll, Shaw, Nodder, and other masters of early natural history and cartography.

5. Do you provide certificates of authenticity?
Yes. Each purchase includes a signed Lumenrare Certificate of Authenticity detailing the artist, publication, medium, date, and provenance—suitable for collectors, insurers, and galleries.

Artistic & Historical Context

6. Why collect antique prints instead of modern art?
Antique prints are physical witnesses to history. They embody the craftsmanship and curiosity of early science and exploration—engraved and hand-coloured centuries before photography existed. Each piece is both art and document.

7. What is the difference between an engraving, etching, and lithograph?
Engravings are cut into copper plates using a burin; etchings are created by acid; lithographs use stone and grease. Most Lumenrare works are copperplate engravings—rarer and older than lithographs.

8. What is the condition of the prints?
As genuine antiques, light signs of age such as toning or foxing are expected. Each listing includes high-resolution images and a precise condition note describing any marks or restorations.

Buying & Shipping

9. Are the prints framed or unframed?
Most are sold unframed to preserve flexibility and reduce shipping costs. We provide guidance on museum-grade framing, including acid-free mounts and UV-filtered glazing.

10. Can I see the prints in person before buying?
Private viewings can be arranged by appointment in Galway or Dublin. International clients can request detailed photographs, video, and written condition reports before purchase. Colin can also do video calls, zoom, facetime etc. No problem. 

11. How are the prints packaged and shipped?
All works are packed with acid-free archival materials, rigid supports, and protective wrapping. Framed works are crated. We use tracked, insured global courier services for peace of mind.

12. Do you ship internationally?
Yes. We ship worldwide with insurance and full tracking. International collectors regularly buy from us with safe delivery guaranteed.

13. What happens if my print is damaged during shipping?
Every order is fully insured. In the rare case of transit damage, we will replace the item (if available) or provide a full refund.

Collecting, Care & Investment

14. How should I care for my print?
Keep your print out of direct sunlight, avoid high humidity, and use archival materials for framing. We can recommend specialist framers who work to museum standards.

15. Do the prints make good investments?
Yes. Fine natural-history and cartographic prints have shown consistent long-term value growth, particularly when professionally framed. We include conservative valuation notes in each catalogue entry.

16. How do you determine pricing?
Prices reflect rarity, condition, subject appeal, and provenance, benchmarked against current market data and recent international auction results.

17. Do you work with interior designers or institutions?
We collaborate with collectors, designers, and curators worldwide—sourcing or assembling thematic collections for interiors, galleries, and archives.

18. Can I request specific subjects or artists?
Absolutely. We can source rare works through trusted dealers and auctions on request—whether you’re seeking Aldrovandi’s serpents, Mercator’s maps, or Shaw & Nodder’s birds.