Portrait Print Appraisal

Framed Abraham Lincoln Portrait Print by Brown & Bigelow

This item is a framed historical print, specifically a portrait of Abraham Lincoln. The print features Lincoln in an oval vignette, centered within a rectangular print area. His image is rendered with notable detail, featuring his distinctive beard and formal attire (likely a dark suit and bow tie), against what appears to be a muted green background within the oval. Surrounding the oval is an intricate, repeating stencil-like pattern in a lighter tone, possibly a cream or light grey, on a darker, possibly brown or reddish-brown, background that extends to the edge of the print. The print itself shows significant signs of age and wear, including discoloration, staining, and what appears to be foxing or mold growth, particularly visible in the lower section and towards the edges, indicating exposure to moisture or high humidity over time. The item is housed in a substantial, ornate wooden frame. The frame possesses a very dark finish, possibly a stained or ebonized wood, and features highly detailed, carved or molded relief work. The relief patterns consist of repeating floral or foliate motifs, creating a rich, textured surface. The frame suffers from considerable damage, including significant paint or finish loss, revealing lighter wood beneath, particularly at the corners and along the edges. Cracks and chips are evident throughout the frame, suggesting a brittle material or repeated impacts. The overall condition of both the print and the frame indicates a lack of preservation and significant deterioration. The print includes text above the portrait, which appears to read 'BROWN & BIGELOW', a known publishing company, suggesting it is a commercial print likely from the late 19th or early 20th century, consistent with the style of the portrait and the frame. The robust, decorative nature of the frame suggests it was intended to be a prominent display piece.