Executed actually by a listed California painter who apparently traveled extensively, JOHN W. NICOLL (1865-1943), this work, 9" by 13" as framed, is a painting of marine scenery of the isolated island archipelago of Bermuda in the sub-tropical Atlantic Ocean. It is signed at lower right by the artist and titled "Bermuda", and on the frame in old handwriting is written "Coral Rocks Bermuda"...

Oil on canvas, 27 1/2" by 22 1/2" (36" by 30" as framed), the subject a young man wearing a colorful bandana, intently working on some objects in his hands, a traditional ethnic mask in the upper right background. The painting is signed in red at lower right "S. C. YUAN", (1911-1974), who was an important Chinese-American artist from the Monterey, California area, however, this is definitely NOT a work of that well-known artist (I showed images to several auction houses and a gallery or two)...

Watercolor on paper, 10" by 14" (15" by 19" as framed), signed at lower left with the distinctive signature of California Scene artist JAKE LEE. This is an image of a vintage old house framed by mature trees, a few suggested figures in the foreground. Jake Lee's works are increasingly sought after by collectors in the wake of his relatively recent passing. This is a clean example in excellent condition...

Acrylic on canvas painting titled on reverse "Memory of Rosie", 17" by 24" (21 1/2" by 29" framed). The image is whimsical and rather mysterious, consisting of three white vases or pots each bearing an image, one of a cat, one a bird, one a jester; one speculates that perhaps, Rosie was a beloved cat. Highly stylized plants or flowers emerge from the pots. The artist signed at lower right and dated the painting 1984...

Large charcoal on paper drawing of a head, 23" by 19" (35 1/2" by 29 1/2" in oversized framing), signed at lower right "W. NASH" in all capital letters. This appears to be the head of a woman, perhaps Orientalist subject matter. I speculated that this might be a work by the noted Santa Fe, New Mexico modernist artist Willard Nash (1898-1943), but he did not sign like this, so far as I can determine, and the subject matter would be unusual for him...

Pastel on soft old board, the subject a light green and white sensitive spring landscape, measuring 14 1/4" by 19 1/8" (19 1/2" by 24 1/2" as framed), not signed on the front that I can see but on the reverse in old hand is written "Blossom Time/F J Girardin/The Old Watering Place/To Leighton DeMen"...

A fine color soft-ground etching and aquatint by the noted, prolific Czech master artist TAVIK FRANTISEK SIMON (1877-1942), featuring the famous and much-loved "bouquiniste" bookstalls along the Seine in Paris, Notre Dame in the mid background. The original sheet measures 15 7/8" by 20 1/8". The print is signed in pencil at lower right by the artist and bears number "329" in the lower left margin...

Black ink on paper drawing, 8 1/4" by 10 1/2", unframed, signed in the center of the image and dated in the image at lower left center "7 26 1999", and titled in the lower margin "TRUCK PLATE", by the noted contemporary sculptor, ceramicist, designer and painter PETER SHIRE (1947-). This complex modern drawing is imaginative, colorful, three dimensional, and whimsical, and could only have been created by a true artist...

Sold as a PAIR, are watercolors of the tourist district of New Orleans by listed artist N. LUCKOW. Each measures 5 3/4" by 7 3/4" (11 3/4" by 12 3/4" as framed). One is titled on the mat "In the VIeux Carre", the other simply "In the French Quarter". One is in excellent condition with glass, the other has no glass and as a result of that the mat has become torn at lower left and at lower right...

Oil on thin linen canvas or possibly silk, 17" by 21" as simply framed, unsigned, probably circa 1930's to 1950's, the subject red and white roses. This was of course a favorite subject from about the turn of the century well into the twentieth, and today this kind of art is favored by those creating a shabby chic look. The present work has some wrinkling/rippling in the creamy unpainted background, as seen in the photos...

Watercolor painting of famous Notre Dame and the bookstalls lining the Seine River, 18 3/4" by 24 3/4" (26 3/4" by 32 3/4" framed), signed at lower right by the noted contemporary French impressionist artist LUCIEN DELARUE (1925-2011). Delarue was born in Paris and studied at the Grand Chaumiere, including some time with Yves Brayer. His work was promoted widely at mid century, with gallery exhibitions in New York and San Francisco...

Oil on canvas still life painting, including a red teapot, plates, funnel, cup, and fruit, all on a striped table cloth with further drapery in the background, 20" by 24", unsigned on front and bearing the name "H. HOWARD" and date "OCT...

Watercolor on quality paper, 7 3/4" by 11", 10 1/4" by 13 3/4" as framed, the subject the famous and iconic symbol of the Santa Fe and Taos region of northern New Mexico, the sanctuary near the town of Chimayo. The art is titled at lower left margin and dated there 2004, and signed "Benke" or similar at lower right. Condition is excellent. A decorative little item if you're looking for something that reminds you of your trip to that scenic and history-filled region of the country.

PAIR of pencil drawings, one titled "The Customs House London" (1820) and the other a botanical still life, both bearing the original auction stickers and labels from the Sotheby's London sale of October 9, 1996. The Customs House work measures 10 1/2" by 7 7/8" inside the mat. It is signed "By Thom. S. Boys" at lower left and titled "The Custom House London 1820" at right. The thin, delicate paper of that drawing is rumpled/crinkled a bit at upper left and there is a little bit of discolorat...

This is an original 1924 etching, from the series of 55 etchings by the artist, in the book "Dingo", published that year by Ambroise Vollard Editeur. The edition was 350. "Dingo" featured dogs and their unique habits and characteristics. This image is adorable, and accurately illustrates how dogs interact with one another---the black dog at left lifting his right paw, the white sheep dogs on their guard, sniffing out the newcomer to their territory. The print measures 13 1/2" by 10 3/4" (she...

An impressive oil on Masonite landscape painting, unframed, 26" by 33", signed at lower left twice, by listed Swiss artist MAX EMANUEL HUBER (1903-1987). The work clearly shows the influence of Cezanne's fractured planes technique. Huber executed a number of impressionist works, and some have this more modernist technique, with which he clearly experimented. The artist is sometimes mixed up with Swiss modern artist Max Huber (1919-1992); the latter's paintings are much more abstract and conte...

It has taken some research on the net to determine that this unusual item is apparently an early 20th century facsimile of an incunabula (pre 1500 printing) leaf from a book. JOHANN GRUENINGER (1455-1533) was a major, prolific early German printer and publisher, who developed an innovative method for illustrating books. This sheet on rag type paper measures 11" by 8". There is text in old Latin, and an image of the Trojan Horse outside of Troy, the soldiers entering his side. Note the vivid ...

An original watercolor painting of the Arc du Carrousel in central Paris, 12" by 15 1/2" (18 1/4" by 21 1/2" framed), signed illegibly at lower right, (possibly, "F Lacoste"), circa late 20th century. The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel is a triumphal arch in Paris, located in the Place du Carrousel. The ornate, impressive structure was built between 1806 and 1808 to commemorate Napoleon's military victories of the previous year. It is a familiar landmark in central Paris, surrounded by wide airy...