Framed Harper's Weekly Christmas 1884 Cover

This item is a framed cover from the December 1884 Christmas edition of Harper's Weekly, a prominent American political magazine based in New York City. The cover features an ornate, woodblock-style illustration depicting a whimsical scene of a young woman offering a pudding to three upright, dancing bears in a snowy forest. This central image is framed by a lush border of mistletoe and foliage, with a red banner at the bottom stating 'CHRISTMAS 1884'. The masthead at the top displays 'HARPER'S WEEKLY' followed by the price of '10 CENTS' and the volume/issue numbering (Vol. XXVIII, NO. 1460). The bottom identifies the publisher as 'HARPER & BROTHERS, FRANKLIN SQUARE, NEW YORK'. Physically, the print shows significant foxing and toning consistent with 19th-century newsprint paper. There are visible creases, most notably a vertical fold line through the center, suggesting it was once folded for distribution. The colors are muted, relying primarily on black, red, and earth tones on aged paper. It is housed in a modern gold-toned wood frame with beaded interior detailing and a simple cream matboard. The print appears to be an original antique page rather than a reproduction, though a full removal from the frame would be required to verify margins and paper weight. The craftsmanship reflects the high-quality wood engraving and lithography techniques of the late Victorian era.