AI Appraisal Estimate

This is a 19th-century steel-plate engraving by Victor Levasseur, specifically depicting the 'Département de Vaucluse' from his renowned 'Atlas National Illustré des 86 Départements et des Possessions de la France'. The piece is printed on light-toned paper, likely a medium-weight rag paper typical of the mid-1800s. The central element is a cartographic rendering of the Vaucluse region, surrounded by an elaborate, decorative allegorical border. The border features highly detailed vignettes including regional agricultural products (vines, barrels), local landscapes, historical figures, a coat of arms, and panels of explanatory text concerning the department's statistics, history, and administration. The engraving exhibits fine-line hatching and stippling, demonstrating high-quality French craftsmanship of the period. Condition-wise, the print shows significant foxing and brown spotting across the margins and within some of the illustrated areas, which is common for paper of this age. There is visible toning and minor edge wear. The print is oriented vertically with the 'DEPT DE VAUCLUSE' title printed along the right margin. This specific style of mapping, blending geographical data with artistic sociology, was popularized by Levasseur around 1845-1854.

I have conducted a visual examination of the steel-plate engraving of the 'Département de Vaucluse' by Victor Levasseur, dating circa 1845-1854. The piece bears the hallmarks of authenticity for the mid-19th century, including the characteristic fine-line stippling and the distinct 'Atlas National' decorative vignettes that made Levasseur’s work iconic. The allegorical border—featuring agricultural motifs and statistical panels—is well-rendered, reflecting the high standards of French cartographic production during the reign of Louis-Philippe. However, the condition significantly impacts the market value; I observed heavy foxing and acid spotting (brown spots) across the margins and within the illustrative field. This suggests historic exposure to humidity and acidic framing materials. These condition issues generally deter high-end collectors who seek 'bright' copies. Market demand for Levasseur maps remains steady due to their decorative appeal, but because they were produced in large quantities, they are not rare. Similar examples in excellent condition often command $250-$400, but given the visible foxing here, a more conservative valuation is appropriate. This appraisal is based solely on digital images. Without an in-person inspection, I cannot confirm paper thickness, the presence of a watermark, or the absence of modern reproduction techniques (though the plate indentation suggests an original). A full authentication would require examining the paper’s translucency, measuring the plate mark, and documenting provenance to ensure it was not harvested from a modern facsimile edition.