Taber Prang Appraisal

Vintage "Copyright 1900 by the Taber-Prang Art Co." Print

The item is a portion of a vintage print, likely an art print or decorative illustration, characterized by its muted color palette, predominantly featuring dark blues, grays, and hints of lighter tones suggesting a sky or distant horizon over a body of water. The visible section of the print itself is rectangular, made of a paper-like material, and appears to be mounted or previously attached to a thicker substrate, possibly cardboard or wood, which is now damaged. The most distinguishing feature is the printed text in the bottom left corner, which reads: "'Copyright 1900' by the Taber-Prang Art Co." This clearly indicates its manufacturing origin and a precise date. The lettering is in a delicate, almost script-like font, slightly stylized, and appears in a light, possibly white or very pale gray, against the darker background of the print. The visible edge of the print exhibits some wear, with a rough, uneven quality, suggesting it may have been torn or cut from a larger piece, or experienced handling damage over time. The mounting material beneath it is significantly damaged and flaky, showing exposed wood-like fibers that are light in color, appearing aged and brittle. The overall condition suggests advanced age and some deterioration, adding to its vintage character. The precise image depicted within the print is mostly obscured by a hand holding it, but the general impression is that of a landscape or seascape. The craftsmanship of the original print, based on the legible text, would have been industrial, typical of fine art reproduction companies of the early 20th century. The quality of the reproduction implies a deliberate artistic intention, likely an attempt to replicate a painting or drawing.