Framed 1998 'Bells, Bells' Woodcut Holiday Broadsheet by Eva Isaksen

A professionally framed holiday broadsheet featuring a woodblock print and poem titled 'Bells, Bells' by artist Eva Isaksen. The work is printed on high-quality, heavy-weight white paper with a distinct deckled edge, Characteristic of fine art printmaking. The composition includes a black ink woodcut illustration on the left depicting festive bells, leaves, and jars, flanked by a central poem printed in red and black ink. To the right, the original carved woodblock used to create the image is mounted beside the print, showing the inverse relief of the design and highlighting the artisan craftsmanship. The bottom of the sheet bears the text: 'CHRISTMAS TIME AT THE ADAM EAST GALLERY, 1998', along with a handwritten signature and date by the artist in graphite. The assembly is housed within a shadowbox-style frame with a speckled gold-leaf finish and protective glazing. The overall condition appears excellent, with no visible foxing or fading to the paper art, though the woodblock exhibits natural grain textures and ink staining from use. The frame shows minor surface wear consistent with its age and display history.

I have examined the digital representation of the 1998 'Bells, Bells' broadsheet by Eva Isaksen. This unique mixed-media presentation includes both the woodcut print and the original carved woodblock, which significantly increases its desirability among collectors of Pacific Northwest contemporary art. The work is signed and dated by the artist, and the typography and deckled edges are consistent with high-quality small-press ephemera produced for the Adam East Gallery. The condition appears Excellent; the paper retains its original brightness without evident foxing or light-striking, and the shadowbox framing provides necessary depth for the relief block. In the current market, Isaksen's abstract works command higher prices (often $2,000+), but her holiday ephemera occupies a niche collectible market. The inclusion of the technical physical matrix (the block) elevates this from a simple print to a pedagogical art object. Rarity is high, as these were typically produced in small runs for gallery patrons. Limitations: This appraisal is based on photographic evidence only. A physical inspection is required to verify the paper's watermark, check for non-archival mounting materials behind the sheet, and confirm the signature's graphite compression. Full authentication would ideally include provenance from the Adam East Gallery or a record from the artist's studio archives. Scientific testing of the ink chemistry would be necessary to rule out high-quality modern reproductions, though the physical presence of the ink-stained woodblock provides strong circumstantial evidence of authenticity.