What is a catalogue raisonne?
A catalogue raisonné is an official record of all known artworks attributed to a specific artist that is usually in book form and contains images of the artworks along with information regarding their medium, size, year of release and edition size where applicable. Usually a catalogue raisonné is prepared by an art historian, a publisher or gallery or a specialist who is the recognised authority on the work of that particular artist,
Creating a catalogue raisonné is a long process that often takes many years of painstaking research to complete. Not only does a catalogue raisonné stand as a guide to the output of an artist but it is the ultimate statement as to fact checking specific elements of an artwork when purchasing or selling. 
Feldman and Schellman
First published in 1985 and now in its fourth edition, Feldman and Schellman’s “Andy Warhol Prints” is regarded as the definitive catalogue raisonne of Andy Warhol’s prints. Divided into three sections - early printmaking, published prints and unpublished prints - the book contains images and technical information (size/editions size/medium and year of publication) on all known Warhol prints. Created by legendary New York art dealer Ronald Feldman (who also published many of Warhol’s prints including his Myths, Ads, and Endangered Species portfolios from the 1980s) and German furniture designer and publisher Jörg Schellmann the tome is the authoritative guide on Warhol’s printmaking. 
According to the Andy Warhol Foundation, this catalogue is “the authoritative reference source on the subject, illustrates the breadth of Warhol’s work in printmaking and the depth of his innovations in the field, which together secure his position as one of the most important graphic artists of the twentieth century.”
Andy Warho prints are divided into four volumes: Volume 1 spanning 1961-1963, Volume 2 (1964-1969), Volume 3 (1970-1974) and Volume 4 (1974-1976) which is presently being created.
Along with images of the works, the catalogue includes essays and lists an inventory of works created in the three mediums, along with materials used, exhibitions and other relevant information regarding those particular mediums.
Within any given entry there is a standard frame that presents the information:Title and the FS number. The number is a chronological method of cataloguing Warhol’s prints. It is used to distinguish his works beyond their names
Particularly in reference to printmaking, there are many phrases that are specific to the art world. Here we list each phrase and its meaning:
- AP (Artist’s Proof): This term describes works that are equal to the quality of the edition but intended for the artist’s personal use––commonly about 10% of the edition. Warhol used these editions as forms of payment and gifts to friends.
- BAT (“Bon à tirer”/ “good to print”): This is the print selected by the artist and the publisher to be the image for the edition.
- HC (“Hors Commerce” = “Not for Sale”): These are of equal quality to the edition and are numbered HC 1, etc. Usually given to collaborators, or as samples to show dealers and galleries.
- PP (Printer’s Proof): These are of equal quality to the edition and are numbered PP 1, etc. The printer retains these to be used as a reference. Warhol paid his printer with these editions. The printer was then at his own discretion to keep the prints for himself or sell them.
- TP (Trial Proofs): These are the initial prints, which are pulled during the processing of an edition and usually reveal colour and/or compositional changes. Trial proofs are the most rare as each print is compositionally, one of a kind.
Explore more of our articles about Andy Warhol in our latest article, on how to authenticate Warhol and read our Andy Warhol print guide.
For more information on our Andy Warhol screenprints for sale or to buy Andy Warhol prints and editions, contact Andipa via sales@andipa.com or call +44 (0)20 7589 2371.