Watercolor painting of a blue-eyed dark haired younger man with long sideburns, seated in a chair, circa 1860's, possibly a bit earlier, apparently unsigned, 9" by 6 1/2" (12 1/4" by 10 1/4" framed). The drawing shows some evidence of 150 years of age, with some light surface scratches in a few spots, a circular discoloration on the paper at left wall, and a little other foxing/discoloration. Found in Florida. I would lean towards the work being of American, rather than English, origin.

An early 20th century pastel landscape of trees and a small creek at left, 20" by 27 1/2" as framed behind glass, no mat, signed at lower right by artist H. W. Carr. This was a period of great activity in pastel landscape painting; displaying original art in one's home, instead of a mere print, was considered a symbol of status. The frame is worn, with chipping.

A print I first thought could be Pennsylvania Dutch imagery, but which now appears to be of some European origin, perhaps the Appenzell area of Switzerland, or elsewhere in Europe. A Google search reveals that the imagery is actually used on the cover of a Spanish reader book, so perhaps this is a Spanish origin. Measurements are 17" by 13 1/2" framed. Condition is very good, with just some overall age toning of the paper and some light rumpling at bottom margin...

California watercolor landscape scene of a water tower above outbuildings in a tawny landscape, signed at lower left by artist Compton. The work measures 14" by 20" inside the present mat and 25" by 31" as framed in simple light wood, (no glass). The painting is in excellent condition despite the lack of glass. Mats are soiled and should be replaced. A well executed work squarely in the "California Style" of watercolor painting.

ONE OF A NUMBER BY THE ARTIST IN MY SHOP**This is a small etching (the sheet 7 1/2" by 5 1/4", respectably matted but not framed), by the noted California artist HARRIET GENE ROUDEBUSH (1908-1998), titled at lower left margin "Chinatown" and pencil signed at lower right by the artist...

For the dog fancier, an unusually charming drawing of what I believe to be perhaps a border collie or Australian Sheepdog, 13 1/2" by 10 1/2" (16" by 12 1/2" framed), signed illegibly at lower right and dated 1979. The artist was obviously talented and perhaps listed, but I cannot to date decipher the signature. The dog's expression is unusually energetic, charming, and even amusing. This is certainly among the most lifelike portrait drawings of a dog I have encountered...

Watercolor and gouache impressionist painting of the Dead Sea in Israel, signed in pencil at lower right in modern Hebrew script as "Hana Bar(-on)" or "Chana Bar(-on) and dated there 1970. Below that in Hebrew is written "iam hamelach" (Dead Sea). I am not able to read Hebrew but was able to show this to a Hebrew reader. The work measures 13 1/2" by 19 1/4", and is presently unframed. It can be shipped between boards or in the plastic poster box in which it is presently loosely housed...

A small but nicely executed watercolor painting of the dramatic mountains surrounding Mexico's commercial capital, the city of Monterrey in Nuevo Laredo state in the northeastern part of the country. The work is signed in red at lower right "A. Hoeck" and dated there 1909. The artist was a relative of a Santa Monica, California artist who recently passed away, and this was found among her personal effects...

Oil on canvasboard painting of flowers in a Southwestern pot, another colorful vessel nearby, and an interesting checkered pattern at bottom adding depth and complexity to the imagery. The work is signed at lower right by artist A. M. WEBER, and signed again on the reverse and titled there "MEXICAN STILL LIFE". Measurements are 19 1/2" by 24" and 24 1/2" by 29" framed. The work could date from about 1940 to about the early 1950's. I do not see a listing for this obviously talented artist...

ONE OF A NUMBER BY THE ARTIST IN MY SHOP**This is a small etching (the sheet 5 1/4" by 7 3/4", respectably matted but not framed), by the noted California artist HARRIET GENE ROUDEBUSH (1908-1998), titled at lower left margin "Fisherman's Wharf" and pencil signed at lower right by the artist. The image features the fishing boats tied up at the wharf, long before today's mass commercialized tourist scene made the area virtually unrecognizable...

Oil on canvas laid on board painting of a traditionally-dressed woman, facing away from the viewer, balancing a water jug on her head while walking in a rural setting. The work measures 13" by 10" framed and there is no apparent signature. I opened the backing and see that the canvas has been laid directly on a board. The painting might date to approximately the 1860's; similarly dressed figures are seen in mid nineteenth century paintings of the Roman campagna...

A contemporary American painting of a tabby cat next to a vase with flowers, 13 1/2" by 10 3/4" (16" by 13" in white frame), signed at lower right RS and dated there 2008. The artist was a talented amateur but he/she has created an attractive and coordinated scene in black, white, gray and blue. The frame has some smudges that come off with some rubbing and there are a few corner chips.

Pencil with white highlight drawing on brown paper, 9 1/2" by 15 3/4" (17" by 23" framed), the subject a number of different types of boats along a dramatic coast, possibly Whitby, England, circa 1860, signed at extreme lower left corner in pencil "Fowler". The drawing, which is laid on a thin board, features various types of sailing craft, and, in the foreground, a rowboat. A castle like structure crowns the prominent hill...

Very detailed, complex, good-sized (21" by 15 3/4", 29" by 23 1/4" as framed) ink and watercolor whimsical drawing of a cartoonish scene including Victorian type house, car, old lady pushing shopping cart, cat, bird, dog, -----well, let's say it's hard to describe....just see the images yourself! At first glance this looks like a print or reproduction, but it is absolutely ORIGINAL ART. Carl Muecke is a veteran of political satire expressed in art, going back to his days at UC Berkeley...

Highly impressionistic watercolor painting of a small boat in a foggy harbor, 14" by 20", unframed, signed at lower left by the listed American artist JOSEPH MARGULIES (1896-1984). Margulies was born in Vienna and by the 1920's was studying art in New York at the Art Students League, one of his instructors being Joseph Pennell. He also received training at the National Academy, Cooper Union, and in Europe...

Oil on gray art board painting of a pretty lake surrounded by trees, houses on the distant shore, signed at lower left in ink "F. C. Hawkes" or similar, probably circa 1935. There does not seem to be a listed artist name that would correspond, but the painting stands on its own. It is quite dirty so a cleaning and a fresh frame would be transformative. There is a diagonal crack to extreme upper left corner. Restorer should exercise caution around the signature since it is in ink and could be...

Watercolor painting of a dramatic western American mountain, unframed, executed on a 12" by 17 1/2" sheet of watercolor paper, unsigned. The mountain resembles the pyramidal Going to the Sun Mountain in Montana's Glacier National Park, but I suppose this could be elsewhere in the great American west. Condition is excellent; the work needs only framing.

A posthumously published (1993) etching "Men at Rigging", the plate apparently originally cut by famous and important California artist ARMIN HANSEN (1886-1957) circa 1924, even though the work is dated 1930 after the faint plate signature. According to the printed narrative on the backing, the plate was never printed in Hansen's lifetime. It was finally printed in 1993 in an edition of 50 by the Monterey Peninsula Museum of Art (and two others "for the estate").  This one is numbered 15/50.�...