Salvador Dali’s Lincoln in Dalivision has many versions in many different tiers of value. Because the Lincoln image was so popular, numerous
“authorized” but un-supervised versions appeared throughout the late 70s and 80s It also had mass market Plate signed version too turning
the masterpiece into a successful high-end poster and a fantastic desirable collectible print.
The editions of “Lincoln in Dalivision” from Magui Publishers and Gilbert Hamon are among the most commercialized and widely discussed pieces in the Dalí market.
Their prices reflect a massive gap between high-end gallery asking prices and realized auction values.
The high prices for Magui Publishers and Gilbert Hamon editions are often considered a “commercial markup” rather than a reflection of true auction value.
While galleries might list these for $10,000 to $28,000, their actual resale value on the secondary market is typically much lower.
While many commercial galleries list these works for $10,000 to $15,000, sometimes higher; actual market data shows they often sell for much less at auction.
Edition Type Gallery Asking Price Realized Auction Price
Standard Signed Print $10,000 – $15,000 $2,700 – $5,700
Bas-Relief (Bronze/Gold) $8,000+ $2,000 – $4,000
Deluxe / Rare (e.g. AP) $28,000+ $9,000 – $14,000
Why They Are Pricey (and Controversial)?
The high prices are often tied to the “authorized” status these publishers claim, though experts at The Salvador Dalí Gallery often view them with caution.
Gilbert Hamon: These are frequently considered “after Dalí” (reproductions of existing works) rather than original lithographs. In some instances, they were
historically described as “color photographs” with a Dalí signature and gold flake added to enhance perceived value.
Magui Publishers: Known for high-quality “mixed media” photoliths with original embossing and remarque. These are technically authorized by contracts Dalí signed,
but because they were produced in large numbers during his “commercial era,” their resale value is primarily driven by the hand-signed pencil signature.
The “Bas-Relief” Factor: The sculptural versions of the Lincoln image are highly collectible for their decorative appeal but are known for having a “inconsistent” market
that fluctuates between $2,500 and $4,000.
There are opportunities that come up from time to time and there is Counterfeit Risk: Because there are so many “after” editions (reproductions made after Dalí’s original painting),
many auction houses value them conservatively at $300 to $500 to start the bidding process if the provenance is not “rock solid”.
So it is good to do a ‘Critical’ Value Check…
If you are looking at one of these, two things must be present to justify a high price:
Hand-Signed Pencil Signature: A printed (facsimile) signature makes the piece worth only a few hundred dollars.
Official Reference: Check if the piece is listed in the Albert Field “Official Catalog”. Documentation from Albert Field or Frank Hunter
will command a premium over generic gallery COAs.
**Gallery Retail: High-end galleries often list these with significant markups, reaching $15,800 to $28,000 for pieces with
museum-grade framing and “bulletproof” provenance. Thus completely authentic.
What Defines “Completely Authentic”?
To command the higher end of these prices, a piece must meet several criteria:
Catalogue Reference: It must be cross-referenced as Field 77-1 in the Albert Field Official Catalog.
The Original Remarque: Authentic versions from the 1977 edition feature a small original etched image (a “remarque”) in the lower margin.
The Viewing Lens: A “complete” set includes the small optic lens in its original blue case, which was provided to help viewers see the Lincoln portrait from close range.
The Publisher: Look for editions published by Levine & Levine (New York) or printed at Atelier Torrents (Barcelona).
There are also The Prestige(Deluxe) and the Gala Editions of Lincoln in Dalivision (typically from 1984). They occupy a unique controversial place. They are generally worth
between $2,500 and $4,500 on the secondary market. While retail galleries may list these versions for $10,000 to $15,000, authorities caution that these prices often include
a significant markup that does not translate into resale value. They are considered “commercial” or “after” works—meaning they were produced based on existing imagery,
often under the umbrella of Gala Editions International. They are distinct from the rare 1977 original edition. The authorization for the 1984 “Prestige” or “Deluxe” editions
is a complex legal and artistic grey area. While these works were technically “authorized” by contracts signed by Salvador Dalí, they are not considered “original graphics”
by most top-tier scholars because Dalí did not physically supervise their creation.
These editions are frequently pencil signed. However, because they were produced in the 1980s—a period when Dalí’s health was failing and his signature
was being mass-applied to paper—they are often categorized by experts like Albert Field as “after” Dalí rather than “original” graphics.
The Prestige version has ‘The Original Monocle’: A complete “Prestige” set should include the handheld viewing glass (monocle) in its original blue case; missing this can decrease
the value by several hundred dollars.
Therefore, because Lincoln in Dalivision is one of Dalí’s most copied works, beware of “facsimile” signatures (printed) or pieces that lack a hand-signed pencil signature.
There are Publishers’ versions in the 1970 and 80’s that were signed in the plate. They created these for people who wanted the iconic image at a more accessible price point.
Because the “original” hand-signed 1977 edition is so expensive and rare, plate-signed versions became the standard for the home decor market.
Market Price: These typically sell for $300 to $1000. You might see them listed for more in high-end retail settings because of elaborate framing,
but their resale value is minimal.
So what are the Essential Authenticity Markers for the Lincoln in Dalivision?
If you are looking at a 1970s plate-signed version, be aware that its value is largely decorative. For investment-grade pieces from that era, the standard is:
Hand-Signed Pencil Signature: Authentic 1977 editions should be hand-signed in pencil, not part of the print.
The Infinity Watermark (∞ a sideways eight): If the paper has this mark, it was produced after 1980, which is a definitive sign of a reproduction or later fake. Dali did not sign Infinity Paper.
Numbered Editions: Plate-signed versions are often numbered out of high totals (e.g., /2000), whereas the primary 1977 original edition was limited to 350 copies.
So, there are many that are considered a decorative reproduction or an “after” Salvador Dalí work. It is not an original lithograph created by Dalí,
nor is it typically hand-signed by him. These typically sell for $300 to $1000.