AI Appraisal Estimate

This item is a color print of a bobcat depicted in a naturalistic wilderness setting, standing atop a rocky outcrop with autumn leaves and wooden debris. The artwork features a realistic style consistent with mid-to-late 20th-century nature illustration. The print is on a white paper substrate with generous margins. In the bottom-left corner of the image area, there is a visible hand-signed signature and numbering that appears to read 'Don Whitlatch' and '358/1500' in pencil; as with all signatures in photographs, this marking is consistent with the artist's known hand but remains unverified without physical examination. Text printed in the margin reads 'Painted especially for Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, Fall 1973' and 'BOBCAT LYNX RUFUS RUFUS'. The owner notes the attribution as Don Whitlatch, which is supported by the visible markings but is an unverified user-supplied claim. The print appears to be in good condition with sharp colors, although small creases or peripheral wear may be present on the unmounted paper edges. Identification is based on visible text and stylistic features typical of commercial wildlife lithography from the 1970s.

Based on the provided documentation and imagery, I have evaluated this color wildlife lithograph. Per user submission, the piece is attributed to Don Whitlatch and bears a signature and numbering (358/1500) consistent with the artist's known hand for the 1973 'Bobcat' series commissioned for Ohio University. While the signature appears stylistically correct, I cannot verify its status as a hand-signed pencil mark versus a printed facsimile from a photo; a physical inspection is required to determine the medium and ensure the paper substrate is consistent with 1970s production. The market for mid-century wildlife prints is currently stable, though highly dependent on the popularity of the specific animal and the artist's regional following. If the attribution is correct and the signature is indeed hand-applied, comparable prints typically trade in the $50 to $125 range depending on the presence of Foxing or sun-fading, which I cannot fully rule out here. If the mark is found to be a printed reproduction or lacks the assumed artist's direct involvement, the value would likely fall to a decorative range of $10 to $20. The current estimate assumes the print is an authorized limited edition as suggested by the margins. To confirm these findings, an in-person examination by a fine art professional would be necessary to verify the pencil weight, ink saturation, and paper acidity.