Historical Fort and Paddle Steamer Print Appraisal
Category: Art Print
Description
The item is a framed art print depicting a historical scene likely related to the American Civil War. The print features a large, brick fort or building in the background. A side-wheel paddle steamer is in the foreground on the water. The steamer is white with visible paddle wheels and a smoking smokestack. The water is depicted with reflections and surrounding marshy vegetation. A small white bird is visible in the water or reeds. A flag, possibly a Confederate flag given the context of a paddle steamer and fort, is flying from a pole atop the fort structure. There appears to be a signature and possibly a title beneath the image in the margin, suggesting it is a limited edition print or a work by a known artist. The print is housed within a double mat, a white inner mat and a cream outer mat, and framed in a light-colored wooden frame with a visible brass plaque or plate at the bottom center of the frame. The frame shows some wear, particularly along the bottom edge and corners, with some scratching and loss of finish. The brass plaque or plate has a small mounting hole visible. The print appears to be in fair to good condition, with some potential yellowing evident in the matting from age. The style is realistic and likely depicts a specific historical event or location.
Appraisal Report
Having examined the provided images of this framed art print, I can offer an appraisal based on the visual evidence. The print depicts a historical scene, likely from the American Civil War era, featuring a fort and a paddle steamer. The presence of a signature and potential title suggests it could be a limited edition or a signed work by a known artist. The condition appears fair to good; while the print itself looks relatively stable, there is visible yellowing on the matting consistent with age, and the frame shows significant wear and tear, particularly along the bottom. Authentication from images alone is limited. To fully verify authenticity and determine if it is a genuine signed print, an in-person examination of the signature and print quality, along with research into the artist and print run details, is essential. Provenance documentation establishing the item's history would also significantly aid in authentication. Market conditions for historical prints of this nature vary greatly depending on the artist's reputation, the rarity of the print, and the specific historical significance of the depicted scene. Comparables would need to be sought among works by the same artist or similar historical subjects. Without identifying the artist and researching their market, it is difficult to ascertain demand and rarity definitively. Factors significantly impacting value include the artist's importance, the print's edition size, its overall condition (including damage to the frame and mat), and its authenticity. Given the lack of definitive information regarding the artist, authenticity, and condition verifiable only through physical inspection, the value provided is an estimate contingent on further investigation.
Appraisal Value
$50-150