AI Appraisal Estimate

This is a matted and framed limited edition art print titled 'A New Day' by the renowned Western artist Harold Lyon (1930–2020). The artwork depicts a realistic scene of three cowboys on horseback gathering near a small stream at dawn or dusk in a high-desert landscape. The color palette consists of muted earthy tones, including sage greens, dusky blues, and warm browns, capturing a soft natural lighting peculiar to Lyon's style. The print is hand-signed by the artist in the lower right margin and includes the title and edition number '54/450' in the lower left margin. The piece is housed in a professional double-mat with a tan or taupe outer mat that complements the desert theme. It is set within a traditional gold-toned gilded decorative frame. The visible condition appears stable, though there is a prominent circular glare from a camera flash reflecting off the glass in the lower-left quadrant of the image. The print itself appears well-preserved within the frame, showing no obvious signs of foxing or moisture damage. The style is Contemporary Western Realism, likely dating from the late 20th century. Craftsmanship is high-tier for commercial lithography, as evidenced by the clear artist signature and the use of professional framing materials.

I have completed a visual examination of the limited edition print 'A New Day' by Harold Lyon (edition 54/450). Based on the provided imagery, the print displays high production quality characteristic of Lyon’s lithographic works. The artist’s signature and edition numbering appear consistent with known authentic examples. The Western Realism style is executed with the soft, atmospheric lighting that defined Lyon’s later career, and the professional double-matting and gilded frame significantly enhance its decorative appeal. Market conditions for Harold Lyon’s work remain stable within the Western Art niche, though prints of this nature generally trade within the secondary decorative market rather than at high-tier fine art auctions. The edition size of 450 is relatively standard, suggesting moderate rarity. The primary value drivers here are the hand-signature and the high-quality framing, which adds approximately $200–$300 in inherent value. The condition appears stable; however, the camera flash glare in the image prevents a definitive assessment of the paper surface in that quadrant. Limitations: This appraisal is based solely on digital images. Without a physical inspection, I cannot verify the substrate’s acidity levels, the presence of light-fading (UV damage), or if the signature is hand-applied ink versus a printed reproduction. A full authentication would require removing the print from the frame to inspect for watermarks, examining the signature under 10x magnification to confirm ink 'bleeding' into the paper fibers, and reviewing a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) or original gallery receipt. For insurance purposes, I recommend verifying that acid-free materials were used in the mounting process to prevent future foxing.