Oil on canvasboard painting of a lonely rutted dirt track in the California desert, 16" by 20" (21 1/2" by 25 1/2" framed), signed at lower right by artist Helen Hausman. I think the painting probably dates to the 1950's or very early 1960's. It is very dirty with yellowed varnish and grime. A cleaning would work wonders.

Original gouache painting of Balboa Park's California Tower and other nearby architecture, 19 1/2" by 28 1/2" in simple framing, signed at lower right by artist C.L. Jay. The work could date to the 1950's or so judging from the dress of the figures included in the composition. It would make for an excellent addition to your Californiana collection and your bungalow or Arts and Crafts and Mission interior...

A classically beautiful unframed red chalk on old paper drawing of a woman dressed as a nun, possibly a saint, surrounded by winged and putti-like figures, Christ on the cross at left background, circa 1700 Roman School. The Old Master drawing is beautifully worked. Formerly attributed to Guercino, now "Roman School". The old paper is laid on a thin card...

A 30" by 40 1/2" work on canvas, featuring a large barn in a tawny presumably California landscape, an early car housed interestingly in the structure, signed at lower right by noted Utah-born, western American artist DONAL JOLLEY (1933-). Jolley was born in Zion National Park, Utah, and settled in Rim Forest, California, high in the San Bernardino Mountains, in 1970. He remains there, creating watercolors and the occasional oil or acrylic work. Jolley showed a very early affinity for drawing...

Old watercolor painting of ducks under a tree by the side of a lake or river, 11 3/4" by 18" (25" by 31 3/4" framed), signed at lower left by artist CONSTANT ARTZ (1870-1951). The poetic work dhows the birds taking refuge under a tree as a storm is perhaps approaching. Indeed, written in old hand on the backing is "The Storm" (probably not by the artist himself). The sky looks grayish and overcast and the leaves appear to be moving in a stiff breeze...

Oil on board painting of autumnal trees, (California sycamores?), hazy mountains in the distance, unsigned, circa 1930's or 1940's. The work measures 9" by 12" and 11 5/8" by 14 1/2" in old probably original frame. The lack of a signature frustrates an effort to identify this talented artist, who might well be listed. The ornate frame is in good condition save for a missing chip at upper left. Painting is a bit soiled consistent with its age...

Pair of original antique botanical Fern lithographs prints circa 1867. Edward J. Lowe’s Ferns: British and Exotic. this print was published in London by Groombridge & Sons in 1867. This work was one of the earliest works to concentrate solely on the subject of the fern. Lowe used his botanical expertise and money to produce this work. He hired A. F. Lydon as the artist for the work and Benjamin Fawcett created the lithograph plates. Presented archival matted and framed...

A classic late 19th century American pastel of daisies on a red cloth, 10 3/4" by 15 3/4" (14 1/2" by 19 3/4" in likely original framing), apparently unsigned, the style somewhat resembling that of renowned American artist of the period Martin Johnson Heade. Condition is excellent. A very small fragment of a label remains on the frame, with "Broadway" as part of street address. That would likely but not necessarily be Broadway in New York...

A rare, historical, early pastel on heavy paper laid to card drawing of a young Zuni indian girl in Arizona, unsigned, circa late 19th century, including the original gold mat, decorated with images of tipis and spears. The work measures 18" by 12" (entire mat) and 12 3/4" by 6 1/4" inside the mat. Sadly, the old antique work has been damaged. There is a darkened diagonal stain that extends from upper right down across the front of the face and into the hair...

Antique oil on canvas of cherries on a table top, 8" by 11 3/4" (11 1/2" by 15 1/2" as framed), signed indecipherably at lower left; name could be W C Hammond, Hammons, or Higgins, or? The work is in the tradition of American 19th century still life and likely dates to about 1880. Some very old patches on the reverse attest to old battle scars the painting acquired in its some 150 years of existence...

A circa 1960's painting of a clown playing a most curious blue violin, signed at lower right with what appears as "J. A. Evans" (or, Evers, or similar). The oil on canvas measures 20" by 16" (24" by 20" framed). There are few tiny flecks of missing paint, very minor, but generally the work is in good condition.

A black and white photograph of one of the most famous of the French chateaux, the Chateau de Chenonceau on the River Cher in France's Loire Valley, the work signed at lower right margin in ink with what appears as "D. Esicaud/Tours". Tours is a city in the region. The piece measures 18" by 14" and 23 1/2" by 19 3/4" as framed. Condition is excellent. The castle dates to the early 1500's and is a major site on the tourist circuit of France.

A PAIR of paintings of figures dressed traditionally, the larger 12" by 9 1/2" (17 1/4" by 14 1/2" framed), the smaller 9 3/4" by 6 3/4" (15" by 11 3/4" framed), one signed in red and dated 1991, the other just dated 1990, but both have ink writing on a margin paper that shows as "Byklasang 1990" (or, By Klasang?)...

Large 30" by 48" painting on Masonite (36" by 54" nicely framed) signed at lower right "Sardi". There is a listed artist Jean Sardi (1947-) but his works do not seem to resemble this and the signature differs. This is a thinned paint on rough side of the Masonite. A previous similar work I handled, by this artist, had an original pre-zip code label from Karl Mann Associates in NYC, apparently a well known interior design firm for decades, a label from the firm considered a good provenance. A...

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.

A really well painted antique small watercolor of yellow roses, 6 1/4" by 8 1/4" in strip frame, signed at right with what looked to be LCTiff----When I purchased this in San Francisco area in the 1980's or early 1990's I thought it possibly a turn of the century work by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Further research appears to establish that this is not the case. The signature does not resemble known Tiffany signatures and there is little to no record of still life works that resemble this. Nevert...

Pencil on paper study of a man, signed at lower left with initials M.A.K., mid 19th century, by the noted Dutch landscapist and member of the important artistic Koekkoek family, MARINUS ADRIANUS KOEKKOEK (1807-1870). He was the son of Johannes Hermanus Koekkoek and brother of Barend Cornelis and Hermanus Koekkoek. This particular work was likely a sketch made by the artist as he worked out a particular artistic situation for a painting. It is in reasonably good condition considering it is abo...

Original pencil on paper drawing of a Native American Indian warrior on horseback, 10" by 8" (14" by 12" framed), signed at lower left by listed Montana artist SANDY INGERSOLL (1908-1989). This is perhaps a workout sketch---almost a tracing paper illustration type of drawing---for a more finished drawing or, later, painting. Ingersoll was born near Helena, Montana and would have been in his teens when Charlie Russell died in 1926. Ingersoll lived in western Montana most of his life. A hardco...

A nicely executed watercolor and gouache painting of Notre Dame Cathedral as seen from the east, the view captured on an atmospheric, cloudy gray day. The scene includes fishermen and other tiny figures at left. At lower right the artist signed rather illegibly; it could possibly read "Pierre" or "Renee", and after that it becomes more difficult to decipher, but "51 PARIS" is at the end (possibly "54"). So we have a view of the famous cathedral created just a handful of years after the end of...

A watercolor painting of a small motor boat and the surrounding dock area complete with lobster traps, signed at lower right by artist WILLIAM J. GILLETT, where it is also dated 1950. The work on heavy watercolor paper measures 12 1/2" by 17 1/4" and is currently housed in an old frame and mat that should all be discarded (that measuring 21" by 25"). The piece was stored in an attic with no glass so the paper is evenly showing evidence of soiling, and it does not lay flat due to some buckling ...

A small contemporary watercolor of the dynamic waterfront harbor area of Vancouver, British Columbia, signed by artist Jo Wodz. The work, 3 3/8" by 3 3/8" (6 1/4" by 6 1/4" in modern frame) is by a contemporary Canadian artist, information on her painting style and subjects available on the internet. Condition is excellent. A fine way to remember Vancouver and its many charms.

A **PAIR** of watercolor on paper paintings of tropical South Florida landscapes, each 15 1/4" by 19 1/4" (one unframed, the other measuring 21 1/4" by 25 1/4"), both signed by Wisconsin-born artist RACHEL STEARNS (1895-1979). Stearns spent much of her life in Chicago where she received art education, some with Frederic Grant. Evidently she spent a lot of time in Florida, as a number of watercolor works featuring scenes from that state are known. These watercolors are vintage perhaps 1940's a...

Ink drawing "Wooded Road", measuring 11" by 16", unframed, circa 1930's or 1940's, signed at lower right by listed American artist ISOLDE THERESE GILBERT (1907-1986). There are two labels, discovered when the piece was opened up (frame is low quality and worn). One red-bordered label gives the artist name, work's title, and size; another, of The City Library Association, Springfield (MA) Museum of Fine Arts, again provides title/artist name. Gilbert was born in New York City and died in Danbu...

Original 1974 Marc Chagall (1887-1985) color lithograph on lustrous Japon Nacre paper, the title "King David" (1974)---Sorlier #721, the sheet 11 1/2" by 8 1/4", measuring 9 1/2" by 7 1/2" inside the present mat, and 16" by 13" simply framed. The print is not laid down, but is taped to the mat, at the corners, on the reverse side. Several photos illustrate some brown discoloration staining, in a horizontal band in the lower portion, and some paper fiber disturbance at extreme right of the signa...

A mid 20th century watercolor on paper landscape painting of craggy classical mountains and gnarled pines, signed at center left with characters. The work measures 14" by 19" (24 1/2" by 30", no glass).

This is a wood engraving print titled "Les Visages", by the important French artist GEORGES ROUAULT (1871-1958). The print measures 7" by 8 3/4" inside the mat (13 3/4" by 15 1/2" as framed). I believe that this is from the edition published at a later date (circa 1960's) by the Collectors' Guild of New York; the print is dated in the plate 1927, and signed in the plate at lower right. The condition is very good with even very light toning of the paper. Rouault is a major French Fauvist and Exp...

A fine example of California plein air art by listed woman artist MARY MAISON (1886-1954), unframed, 16" by 20", signed at lower right. The work is painted directly on wood panel. Image is of a high mountain, like Mt. San Jacinto or Mt. San Gorgonio near Palm Springs, seen in early spring when snow remains on the summits as the desert blooms far below. The former Mary Cox was born in Bethlehem, PA and studied art in Paris and Philadelphia. By the early 1920's she had settled in Southern Cali...

Oil on canvas on board, 18" by 27", unframed, signed at lower left by artist OSWALD SCHLOMBS (1876-1926), and titled in pencil on reverse "Herbst" ("autumn", in German). The artist though listed is not well known, though obviously talented. This painting has scattered paint loss, showing as white areas in the photos, and apparently some chemical darkening of the pigment, as at very top the observer will note how the paint that had at one point been hidden by a frame is a lighter blue than the ...

A striking, complex drawing suggestive of three dimensionality, in rich teal blue and black, violet and gold, with strategic cut-outs revealing the white backing, 25" by 38' in the plastic enclosure box. The work does not appear to be signed but a fading label on backing gives the title as "Turquesa" ("Turquoise in Spanish) and the artist as JUNE SOBEL (1950-). Sobel was born in Queens, New York and grew up on Long Island. Saturday classes at the Art Students League in New York led to her ac...

Original lithograph in colors, on smooth wove paper, "Stars" (French version was known as "Etoiles"), 1938, after a gouache by the well-known important Russian modern artist WASSILY KANDINSKY (1866-1944). This print, signed at lower left in the stone with Kandinsky's "K" monogram, was published by Teriade, Paris, for publication in the French avant-garde magazine Verve. The edition, printed by Mourlot, consisted of approximately 2000 or 2500 impressions. This example is in good condition thou...

A vintage, old, pastel on paper drawing of old steep-roofed houses in a mountain landscape, 10 1/2" by 15 1/2" (14 1/2" by 19" as framed, no glass), signed at lower right corner with initials that appear as "SHC.". The work probably dates to the 1920's or 1930's, judging from the style, and framing materials. The old paper has browned heavily and one can see a ghost image of the drawing on the reverse side. This should be re-framed with non-acidic materials, and room should be left for a prop...

This is a decorative, hand colored print, possibly dating to 1784, issued as a plate in "New and Complete British Traveller", titled at bottom "View of Hackney in Middlesex". Presently the print itself measures 6" by 6 3/4" (10 3/4" by 12 3/4" in simple black wood frame). I see from online research that this example seems to have been cut down, with all decorative border areas, and the name of the publisher, Alex Hogg, at the Kings Arms, No. 6 Paternoster Row, trimmed away. The print neverthe...

A scarce botanical mezzotint engraving of the plant species "Caryophyllus gramineus humilis" (carnation), plate No. 330, from Phytanthoza Iconographia, 1737-1745, considered the first important botanical work to use color engraving prints. The work is known for the accuracy and beauty of the prints, which can now bring impressive sums at Sotheby's and Christie's auctions in London. The prints were created by German apothecary and botanist JOHANN WILHELM WEINMANN (1683-1741), now best known pre...

A nicely worked oil on canvas, 21" by 29" plus almost 1" wide old frame, the subject an extensive continental European landscape with figures on shore and in a small boat, a dog, wading and resting cows, trees and classic buildings, signed at lower right by artist "O. Kirkman" and dated there 1858. The more one studies this the more detail one sees. This antique painting will need restoration and it is well worth the effort to bring it back to displayable condition. There is yellowed varnish,...

An early pencil drawing of a charming country house (barn/hayloft?) with thatched roof, a group of figures conversing outside. A pair of mules, a split rail fence, and plane tree complete the scene. The work is unsigned. Measurements are 8 1/2" by 11 1/2" inside the mat. Someone decided to re-use a modern mat that had evidently been used on a print, as there are numbers on it as if from an edition. The drawing is glued to this mat at right and left, though you could likely free it by using ...

A nicely painted watercolor of wild roses, signed at lower right by artist M. J. Gage, circa 1900. Found in Boston area, The work measures 6 1/4" by 12 1/4" inside the double mat and 14" by 18" as framed in oak. Colors are fresh considering that this is a century old. Clean and ready for the wall.