Coquina Bay Study #One by John Bennett (Limited Edition Print)

This item is a limited edition art print titled "Coquina Bay Study #One," created by artist John Bennett. The print measures approximately 18 x 24 inches, showcasing a vibrant and impressionistic painting of a boat at rest on water. The primary colors in the artwork are rich blues and greens for the boat and water, contrasted with warm reds and oranges in the background, suggesting a sunset or sunrise. Two birds, possibly seagulls, are perched on the bow of the boat, adding a quiet focal point. The print is presented on heavy paper stock with a white border, which shows some minor creasing and edge wear, particularly along the right side and corners, indicating it has not been framed or stored perfectly flat. Along the left margin, there is printed text identifying it as a 'limited edition print 1991 John Bennett & Co. Lithograph.' Below this, there is a clear, handwritten signature of John Bennett, followed by what appears to be an edition number '2 of X,' though the full number 'X' is not visible. This suggests it is an early pull from the limited run. The quality of the reproduction appears high, capturing the brushwork and color fidelity of the original painting. The visible wear is consistent with unframed paper art from the early 1990s, indicating an estimated age of about 30-35 years. The artist's signature and the limited edition marking are key distinguishing elements, enhancing its collectible value as a specific print from a known artist.

Based on my examination of the provided details, this 'Coquina Bay Study #One' by John Bennett is a limited edition print from 1991. The stated dimensions of 18 x 24 inches and the description of vibrant blues, greens, reds, and oranges, along with the depiction of a boat and birds, align with the visual and textual information provided. The presence of 'limited edition print 1991 John Bennett & Co. Lithograph' text and a clear, handwritten signature of John Bennett, followed by '2 of X' as an edition number, strongly supports its authenticity as a legitimate limited edition print. The high quality of reproduction, capturing brushwork and color fidelity, is a positive attribute. However, the condition reveals minor creasing and edge wear, particularly along the right side and corners of the white border. This indicates imperfect storage, impacting its pristine value. While the early edition number ('2 of X') typically enhances desirability, the overall condition slightly offsets this. For market conditions, comparable limited edition prints by regional artists like John Bennett, especially those from the early 1990s, often trade in the lower to middle range for prints, unless the artist has significant national recognition or a strong auction record for prints. Demand for such pieces is generally steady among collectors of regional art or marine themes. The rarity is defined by its limited edition status, but without knowing 'X,' the exact scarcity is unclear. Factors significantly impacting value are the genuine signature and limited edition status versus the minor condition issues. For full authentication, an in-person examination to verify the signature's permanence (not just printed), assess paper quality, and confirm the specific printing technique would be ideal. Provenance documentation, such as original purchase receipts or exhibition history, would further solidify its value. Scientific testing like ink analysis could confirm the print's age and true limited edition nature if significant doubt arose, though it's not typically required for prints of this nature unless major discrepancies are present.