hard to read signature HELP

From here, not having it in hand, I would call it a cast paper collagraph. That's making assumptions.

Artist's proof are a check to see how things are going -- and if the artist needs/wants to make any changes to the plate... so they may be identical to the final run or very different.

In some cases, it can be argued that artist's proofs are of a lower value than a numbered print of a small run -- because there's no way to know how many proofs are out there.

Of course, in some cases, the proof may be disappointing enough that the artist never makes any prints. Then I suppose it would depend on the future success of the artist how valuable that proof becomes.

 

It could be called embossed, or more specifically "blind intaglio". A 3-dimensional "plate" of some sort is prepared, and dampened paper is pressed into/onto it and allowed to dry. In this case, it looks like color was added in the image area after the paper was dry, using a lightly loaded brush, to emphasize the raised areas. The plate could be made from a variety of materials, traditionally a thick, deeply etched piece of copper. Contemporary artists may simply use a piece of plywood with the design created with hot glue or other sturdy medium. The paper may be a thick sheet, or may be applied as a thick slurry of pulp.

 

Thanks 2manybooks! Yeah that's what it looks like it is. Thank you all that commented and for the information

 

Might be an artist named Wess.

Not familiar with pressed paper art. If the patterning appears on the reverse, then I would call it embossed. If not, then it might be a heavy paper pressed into a prepared mold, though that would take a lot of pressure, and I don't know what would be used for the mold. It could be cast paper, another technique with which I am not familiar. I'm guessing it involves pulp poured over a mold and probably pressed both to ensure full contact and to eliminate excess water.

An artist's proof is supposed to be a print pulled for inspection by the artist to see that it measures up to his or her expectations. Necessary edits are made until the artist is satisfied with the image and then the print goes into its production run.

Nowadays I would agree with komo that "artist's proof" is mostly a marketing gimmick pandering to snob appeal.

Don't know which would be the case here.