Who was Dale DeArmond?
Please refer to the about tab for more information on this artist.
What is the correct spelling of the artist's name?
Dale's name is spelled DeArmond (the artist also used De Armond). It has also been (mis)spelled as De'Armond, Dearmond and De Armand.
What is the difference between a woodcut and a wood engraving?
Per Letterpress Commons:
Woodcuts are relief printing plates made by carving marks in blocks of long grained planks or plywood. Long-grain refers to the grain following the direction of growth, i.e, parallel to the tree trunk/branch the piece of wood was cut from.
Woodcuts vs. Wood Engravings
While both are relief printing methods, woodcuts are distinguished from wood engravings by both the grain direction of the wood used and the tools employed. Wood engravings are typically made in hardwood blocks cut across the grain or endgrained, that is, perpendicular to the growth of the tree using gravers and scorping tools.
Regarding individual prints, what does A.P., TP, or P/P refer to?
In addition to the regular edition, DeArmond created proofs for most of her prints. They include (may not apply to all prints):
A/P = Artist Proof
T/P = Trial Proof
P/P = Presentation, Printer's, or Progressive Proof
B.E. = Book Edition
E.A. = Épreuve D'Artiste Proof (known to exist for a few titles, including her 1975 stone lithographs as they were printed in France)
What is hand written on most of her prints?
Typical for DeArmond's prints is the penciled, hand-written details that she wrote on each print, under the image, which may include: the title of the print; edition number/total in edition; artist signature; and year of production. An example:
Raven and Whale 22/25 Dale DeArmond imp 1991
In this example, it is number twenty-two in an edition of twenty-five. The first number is what is assigned to each unique individual print, while the second number indicates the total in the edition. Where the numbers are written may be "AP" or "A/P 2/5" (indicating it is an artist proof, number two of five). Dale's name may be abbreviated as DeArmond, De Armond, or D. DeArmond. The written imp is short for imprinted or impression – an indication that DeArmond herself has pulled the print. In an article from the mid-1970s, she said: a puzzled person "…asked me once why all of your prints are marked imperfect?… the IMP simply means that it has been imprinted by the artist rather than by an assistant or by a commercial shop."
Proofs are produced during the production of a print. They give the artist insight (and opportunity to make changes) to what the final piece will look like. The prints may be uncolored or appear "unfinished" but in most cases they are identical those in the regular edition. Proofs can be held by the artist, given away to friends and/or family, and when the regular edition is sold out, they may also be sold. They are generally considered more valuable. For DeArmond's earliest woodcuts, typically five artist proofs were produced, regardless of the number in the regular edition.
Which mediums did DeArmond work with?
She has worked in many mediums, including oil, pastel, ink and pen, pencil, lithography, stone lithography, woodcuts, wood engravings, etchings, silkscreens (serigraphs) and even textiles – in addition to literary works.
I'm looking for a particular print, yet I cannot find it. Any reason?
If you're looking for a print, it's out there – for a price. Most of her works had a very limited edition and could be considered "hard-to-find." With few exceptions, DeArmond produced much of her work – and some books – herself.
What dictates value for DeArmond’s prints?
Values of her prints are derived from many reasons, including (but not limited to):
past sales;
number in the edition (rarity);
size;
subject matter;
condition of the art;
appeal (popularity or "wall presence");
availability (has a title shown up on the market recently);
its complexity (for example, the number of colors in a woodcut)
Dale's original prints carry a wide range of values. As a collector, it is important to collect what you like and what appeals to you. Unless money is no object, they should not be considered for purchase with the sole intention of garnering a profit. The original carved blocks for her woodcut and wood engraving prints are unique and can be highly desirable.
Where can DeArmond's work be purchased?
Few galleries around Southeast Alaska and beyond continue to carry her work. Her prints can perhaps be easiest found in Juneau and Sitka, where she lived most of her life; if you're looking for something in particular, check art galleries in Southeast Alaska, Anchorage and Fairbanks, as well as those in Washington State and Oregon.
DeArmond's art is not available for purchase on this website.
What is a "second state" when referring to her prints?
On rare occasion, DeArmond has produced what may be called a "second edition" but hers are referred to as a second state. These are not second editions but a print with "conspicuous changes" from its regular edition. DeArmond has produced very few second states of her prints; their edition size may be different than the first.
Anything else not yet mentioned?
Insurance valuations for most of DeArmond's works are available via this website – click here for more information.
Your information is needed! Do you have a print that is not listed on this site? A picture of a title that is missing? What about image (block) or overall print sizes? Do you have a COA (certificate of authenticity) for a print? How about other missing information like: year produced; type of paper; type of medium; perhaps you own another "state" (see above) of a print not listed? Please consider sending information and/or pictures of your works to [email protected].
For many years, DeArmond sent annual Christmas cards to her closest friends and business associates. These were hand-made, hand-produced, and often signed by Dale and her husband. Their values are unknown; they are rarely ever offered on the open market.
In her lifetime, DeArmond created thousands of drawings, sketches and carved blocks. While many of these would end up in a woodcut or wood engraving print edition, not all were. In fact, many items DeArmond produced could be considered "unique" or "one-of-a-kind." For whatever reason, she may have decided not to continue with an edition and only produced one copy.
As of September 2024, there are approximately seven hundred and fifty print titles listed. Despite this, it's likely that DeArmond – in her expansive fifty-year artistic career – produced over four hundred woodcut and eight hundred wood engraving titles, and roughly sixty titles in other mediums. This proves challenging to document as many of her print titles are unknown to the market.
Most collectors want prints and original works in excellent, as-issued condition. Because DeArmond hand-pulled most of the prints herself, the terms "new" and "mint" really do not apply, but condition does play a factor in dictating value.
A few other considerations:
*Print sizes can vary.
*Dale didn't always use white paper for her prints.
*Always use acid-free and archival quality materials when framing your art. If you purchase a print in an older mat, (strongly) consider re-matting it. Older mats tend to be acidic and can tone or "burn" the print, yellowing its paper. Extended exposure to direct sunlight can cause the same unfortunate result.
*Foxing is not uncommon on older paper prints, especially in states with warmer and high-humidity climates, and may be reversible.
*If possible, look to make sure that the print hasn't been cut down. Some framers have done this to a print to fit a smaller frame!
*Dates can vary on prints; early woodcuts tended to be created "on-demand" and may be dated later than those created earlier. Engravings may have later print runs for purposes of a book edition.
*If you see deckled edges (or feathering – see example below) on a print, this is intentional. It's often issued this way by its makers or manufacturers.
This website is only possible with the assistance and participation of many individuals. Many thanks are given to all involved, with particular appreciation for: Malin Babcock; Jerrick Hope-Lang; and Juan Muñoz.
The images on this site are representable of the images DeArmond produced, but all are culled from a variety of sources. Due to various reasons including availability, lighting, and camera and scanner limitations (like color, flash, glare and shadowing), images on this website may appear different than those viewed in-person.
Because information provided in most areas of this website are derived from various reference materials, some information may be erroneous or mistaken. Your use of this website indicates your understanding and agreement not to hold the owner and creator of this website, or the respective copyright holder, liable for anything deemed incorrect, or from anything that may result (or does result) as a consequence.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Except where noted, all images and illustrations contained herein this website are
Copyright © Estate of Dale DeArmond.
Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Maintained by Site Administrator & Editor Davin Anderson. This site (daledearmond.com), design, content, and text beginning with "editor's note" is Copyright © Davin Anderson 2015 – 2024.
This website is under copyright. Any unauthorized commercial usage of anything contained herein is unlawful. Except in cases where noncommercial uses are permitted by law, no part may be used, copied, reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means – to include copying, photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods – without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.
For permission requests, email [email protected].