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Hello. I have several woodblock prints that I am trying to find information on. I am particularly looking for sources where I can find out more about the artist and series, as well as what the worth might be.

The first is apparently named "Play Chess." Artist is Oho Yung-Suk 1686-1761. Maker is Han Jin-Hae. It is marked '69 on the front and was print #163 out of 300 made. I am assuming that this was a modern print from an old woodcut. It features 6 men playing chess on a grass mat under a tree.

Print #2 is named Pleasure of Spring Time. It is also printed by Han Jin-Hae in 1970. It is # 186 out of 500. It features 5 men walking with 3 women mounted on horseback.

Print #3 is A Tavern. It is #203 out of 500. Again signed by Han Jin-Hae. Marked 1969. It features two women ladeling some sort of soup or stew to 5 men.

All three look to be hand colored with watercolor and/or pencil. They are also all matted and framed similarly. They also have what I believe to be Chinese markings on the front, in addition to the signature, print number, etc.

I can upload photos if this would help.

Thanks in advance for any info or links you can provide!

Photos would be a help.

Here are photos. This is print 1 of 4

Print 2 of 4

This is on the back of print 2

Print 3 of 4

This is on the back of print 3.

This is the last print of 4. It is different from the other three.

Stacey,

This last one is by Ando Hiroshige. It is "Moonlight, Gate of Licensed Quarter" from the series "Views of Kyoto". It was printed in 1835.

I am pretty sure yours is printed later likely from recarved blocks. If you look at the original in the link below, you'll notice the red printer's seal below the signature is different. Plus, the condition, considering that it is mounted and exposed to light, is too good for an original print of that age. The vegetable dyes of that era faded fast.

Typically, a print from recarved blocks is worth $50 - $100. Some of yours appear to be limited editions of old prints. This make effect their value.

Cheers,
Stan

URL Title :Moonlight - Hiroshige

Thanks! Very interesting! Looking forward to doing some more research on it. I'm not surprised that it is a later printing.

Still curious about the other three. Upon closer inspection the name of the block maker may be Cho, not Oho. Is it common for the old blocks to be used to reprint at a later date? Or am I off on my assumption?

In short, no. Woodblocks are good for about 20,000 copies before they are worn out. Once the run of prints is finished, the blocks are also finished.

There can be damage to a block and it can be recarved or chunk replaced. This leads to different "states" of the print.

Cheers,
Stan

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