I.1. Prints 1948–1956
Corlett 1–31
These early prints were produced while Lichtenstein was a graduate student and then an instructor at Ohio State University, Columbus (1948–51), and during his years in Cleveland (1951–57). Most he printed himself, with the exception of lithographs printed in Cleveland. For them he enlisted the aid of the artist Bryce Ford, who had his own lithography press.
Editions from these years are often not numbered. And there are many unsigned and unnumbered impressions from numbered editions; most certainly these were printed as part of the edition. In 1979 the artist systematically reviewed his own print inventory and signed those impressions he had previously left uninscribed. Consequently, there are impressions inscribed in 1979 as artist’s proofs, which, likewise, were probably printed as part of the original edition. Such inscriptions have been noted in the inscription section of the appropriate entries, and a notation has also been made as part of the edition information.
Often various paper types were used within an edition, and this has been noted where known. When impressions have been found in significantly varying paper sizes, the word variable, in parentheses, follows the sheet dimensions. Inscriptions are also notably inconsistent on prints produced during these years. In the interest of providing as much information as possible, all known variations have been described, with inscriptions in the order that they appear on the sheet, left to right.
Unless otherwise noted, all information is based on impressions examined, or, in a few cases, information received from the owners. Every attempt was made to document all known impressions, but it is likely that variations exist that have not been accounted for.
(Corlett 2002, p. 55)