Expert: Ben Mahmoud - 4/21/2008

Question
Hello Ben. I recently bought and old picture frame at a flea market and discovered an old print behind the cardboard filler in the frame. It is an 8" X 11" picture of hunting dogs with the artist name Edm H. Osthaus and the numbers 3371 under the signature. Could you recommend anyone that may know of it's value or give me any history on this print? Thanks for your time, Faron!

Answer
First, let me say that I am not a trained appraiser.  However, I might be able to find some answers for you.

Edmund Henry Osthous was born in the U.S. in 1858.  He died in 1928. He seemed to specialize in sporting images, especially with hunting dogs.  His work seems to be representing by the gallery, Red Fox Fine Art. This gallery is in an old converted barn in Middleburg, Virginia.  Here is there toll free number: 1.800.223-1728.  I am sure they can give you a definitive answer as the value of the work.

Since there are no edition numbers on the print, I suspect it may have been an unlimited edition, and that would substantially reduce the value of the work.  I think the numbers written on the print means March 3. '71.  This may be 1871, or it might be 1971 (when this part of edition  was run-off).

I found an auction result from March, 2005.  There auctioned a signed, sepia print that went for $500.  "Signed" is critical to the value of a print.  Is the signature just below the print and in pencil.  If so, great! If the signature looks printed (as part of the printing of the print), this is not so good.  Sometimes, people buy the plates or litho stones from the estate of the artist, and begin to print from them.  Often, they will try to make it seem that it is an artist-signed print.

A magnifying glass will give you the answer to this.

So, my recommendation is that you call the Red Fox Gallery.  I have no idea of their reputation.  If they think you have a very valuable print, they might suggest a price well below what they could sell it for, and then offer to buy it from you.  On the other hand, if they give you an estimate of the value, and do not offer to buy it from you, then I would be inclined to trust their figure.

Do this before you call.  Get your magnifying glass out, and look carefully at the print itself. Do you see half-tone dots.  These are the little dots that make gradations in color/tone for mechanical printing.  Look at a magazine with the lens, and you will see the dots.  If you do see half-tone dots, then I think you have a mechanically produced image done of an off-set press.  Not much value to such as this.

So, let me know what you find.  It could be very exciting.

Regards,  Ben Mahmoud