Hors Commerce (HC)
Definition:
Hors Commerce (French for "not for sale") or HC prints are editioned proofs that are technically outside the commercial edition. They are usually reserved for printers, publishers, or collaborators, and may be signed or unsigned. HC prints are typically marked with an "HC" in place of a standard number (e.g., HC 2/5).
Though not initially intended for public sale, HC prints sometimes enter the market through private sales, estates, or institutions. Their value is typically comparable to or slightly less than the numbered edition, depending on condition, rarity, and provenance.
HCs are one of several print proof types — including Artist Proofs (AP), Trial Proofs (TP), and Printer’s Proofs (PP) — that give insight into the production process and print history.
