A dramatic early black and white photo of the Empire State Building in Manhattan, photographer unknown, the structure featuring prominently at center of the image, surrounded by the lower buildings from which it emerges. The building was completed in 1931. Some information I saw online suggests the antenna was not placed until as late as 1952. The photo dates from somewhere in that period, and very likely to the early/mid 1930's...

A late 20th century watercolor painting , 10 1/2" by 14 1/2" inside the mat, 14 1/2" by 18 1/2" in gold framing, the scene three figures in front of a walled house, the figures with loads carried on heads or in traditional pole baskets. There are two red chop marks at lower right. On the reverse is a rubber stamp of Suvida Frame, and Thai lettering. The poetic work is clean and highly decorative. Allow for reflections in a few images.

Watercolor on paper, unsigned, 14" by 18" (19" by 23 1/2" as framed/matted), American, dating likely from the late thirties to the mid fifties. The work is obviously by a talented artist, considering the way in which the flowering trellis vine has been depicted. There is a Somerville, New Jersey label on reverse from the framing outfit, from 1959, naming an Earl Potter from Potterville, NJ, but I don't believe this is the artist's name...

Rosemary Zwick "Galena" limited edition Buildings c 1950s nice print signed numbered and title "Galena" image 10" by 6.7"

A watercolor painting of a fountain on an elegant seaside or lakeside property, 8 1/2" by 6" (12 1/4" by 9 3/4" framed), signed at lower right by listed Swiss artist JOSEPHINE VERNAY (1861-?). Vernay's birth/death dates are suspect, or possibly confused with those of her brother, artist Francois Joseph Vernay; one source lists hers as 1864-1950, the same as her brother's. My brief net research has failed to turn up a painting dated after 1918...

For collectors of early Floridiana, here is a prize---a circa 1930 hand colored photograph of a lazy slough with a clump of distant palms, titled in lower right margin "Miami River, Fla.", and at left margin in pencil is "Harris". This work, measuring 3" by 7" (the photo portion alone), and the entire piece 7" by 10 3/4" in most interesting old original frame, is by the noted photographer best known for his early images of Saint Augustine, W. J. HARRIS...

Colorful landscape painting of a modest dwelling perched on a rise above a turquoise aqua colored sea, leaning coconut palms framing the scene and two small sail boats in the distance, signed at lower left "Dickerson". The work, on panel, measures 12" by 15 1/2" (14 1/2" by 18" simply framed). The scene could be Hawaii or the Caribbean; hard to tell. The impressionist palette, and especially the various shades of blue, make for an appealing painting...

If you are a decorator looking for a "look" without spending the bigger money, here is an interesting option: a PAIR of works (11 3/4" by 22" framed) that for all the world, look like antique Italian watercolors of the 19th century, featuring coastal ruins and boats in Naples waters with Vesuvius in the distance, and a coastal scene with Capri offshore...

An example of the work of famous, prolific, commercially successful American illustrator artist, ROBERT ATKINSON FOX (1860-1935), this image featuring a garden fountain in its elegant surroundings. The print measures 21 1/2" by 13 1/2" (28 1/2" by 20" nicely framed in lustrous faux burl look, with pink mat). Fox was born in Toronto and arrived in the United States around 1885. He worked for publishers such as Brown and Bigelow, Edward Gross & Co...

Watercolor on paper, 9 1/8" by 6 3/4" inside the mat (14 1/4" by 11 5/8" in its simple green frame), unsigned, the subject a Spanish (most likely) church tower with arched and arcaded breezeways. I've opened this and don't find a signature nor other information. My best guess is that this would be one of the famous buildings in the south of Spain, such as Granada, Sevilla, etc., though I suppose it possible that it could be elsewhere in the Mediterranean region...

A decorative painting on a fragment of unstretched canvas, a slightly irregular shape, but almost square at 12 3/4" by 12", unsigned, in the famous drip and splatter/splash style of famed Abstract Expressionist Sam Francis (1923-1994). The work is housed temporarily in a protective-only simple black frame. The paint is likely acrylic. The work is a lot less expensive than a real Sam Francis.

Esther Anna Hunt (1875-1951) is known today in California art circles as a keen observer of the traditional culture as displayed in San Francisco's Chinatown. Her paintings and plaster bust models of young girls in traditional costume make regular appearances in auctions of California art. This work appears to have been created by one of Hunt's many early 20th century imitators. Unsigned, there are what appear to be initials "M.E.E." on the inside of the mat and on the inside of the backing...

Mid nineteenth century watercolor, gouache and gum arabic drawing on paper of a young woman with the ringlet hair and prim dark dress fashionable at the time, holding the back of a Hitchcock chair, all against an extensive landscape. The drawing measures 6" by 4 1/4" inside the mat, and comes with a newish 1" wide gold colored frame. I don't see a signature. The gum arabic has oxidized and aged and is crackly, with tiny losses in the sleeve, and her lower face has lost some detail...

By noted South African artist, Otto Klar (born in Austria, 1908-1994), this drawing depicts a group of huts, some figures, and hills in the background. In a simple wood frame, it measures 10 3/4" by 12 5/8" (sight size 6" by 8"), and is inscribed on the back, "Christmas South Africa, 1977, Gift from Otto Klar, Dec 2nd". In pencil, on buff colored paper, frame and double matting are clearly original, and the drawing appears to be in excellent condition...

Lithograph on paper of a clipper ship, 12 1/4" by 9 1/2", unframed, signed by the noted marine illustrator, painter and etcher/lithographer GORDON HOPE GRANT (1875-1962)...

A photographic print, apparently printed in Italy, featuring Harry Jackson's important sculpture of John Wayne on a horse, autographed and then dedicated "For my good friend Mert/All the best to you/Your friend/Harry/June 10, 1991/Cody Wyoming". HARRY JACKSON (1924-2011) was a western American artist for many decades, best known for his sculptures, some large or life-size, featuring cowboys, horses and indians. These western works commonly bring $50,000 to $100,000 at auction today, and they a...

This is a PAIR of color aquatints, each 8 1/2 by 12" inside the mat, 13 1/4" by 17" as framed, the subjects Notre Dame cathedral and the Seine in Paris, and the flower market at the Madeleine, each numbered at lower left out of editions of 500 and signed at lower right in pencil, by the noted French 20th century impressionist painter CHARLES BLONDIN (1913-1991). Blondin was active in Paris in the post war years, painting and creating very popular editions of prints which he numbered and hand sig...

Acrylic on canvas 15" by 19" (21 1/2" by 24 1/2" framed) painting of northeastern-style clapboard homes in late autumn season, a tiny figure and dog adding a charming touch, signed at lower right by artist BEN ROSEN. A worn label affixed to the reverse of the canvas gives the title "The Suburb", 1984 date, and a 718 area code phone number (greater New York City area). The painting projects a certain naive charm as a bird's eye view has the viewer contemplating the scene from a unique perspecti...