A late 19th century etching of a young woman, measuring 5 3/4" by 4" inside the mat, the laid paper sheet 10" by 7 1/4", and 19 1/4" by 15 1/2" nicely framed, with a monogram in the plate at right center and an illegible pencil signature at lower right that appears to begin with "J". As the work somewhat resembles some portrait etchings by the famous artist Whistler, and the monogram almost appears as an early Whistlerian "butterfly" before it evolved, I thought the work possibly by Whistler...

An American impressionist coastal seascape painting on the rough side of a Masonite panel, 12" by 16" (19" by 22 1/2" in quality gold frame), signed at lower right by artist Erna Gruenbaum. Oddly, considering the quality, there is no listing of an artist by this name. The painting probably dates to the 1950's or thereabouts. The frame has very light wear but retains its value.

An oil on canvas painting, unsigned, the subject the Arizona desert (we know that because of the saguaro cacti that are not found elsewhere), 22" by 30" (29 1/2" by 38" framed). The painting is deliberately painted in a very pale fuzzy blonde light, with pastel tones, making it somewhat difficult to photograph due to the lack of strong contrasts. The materials suggest a circa 1950's or late 1940's date of execution.

A colorful contemporary painting of villagers in Africa going about their daily activities, 15" by 18 1/2" in hand painted colorful frame, unsigned. On the reverse in an English-influenced style of handwriting is written: "Village Life/Two women are carrying buckets of water and the other is sweeping while the other is pounding. Boys are herding cattle and the mother is bathing the baby while men are drinking beer. Two women are carrying bundles of firewood"...

A naive ink drawing, possibly by a child, charmingly titled "EXCHANGES", featuring a mounted cowboy on right firing at an Indian with chief's headdress, firing an arrow at the cowboy while crouching behind a protective rock. A cactus at far left and steer skull at right complete the composition. Probably dates to the early to mid 20th century. It is a simple image, but states a message in a rather straightforward manner. Size is 8" by 12" in simple wood framing.

An attractive contemporary abstract painting, unsigned, 20" by 24", unframed, painted in acrylics by an anonymous artist. The airy and light palette----an artful combination of white, gray-silvery metallic, yellowish-orange peach/tropical melon (and that too slightly metallic in places) colors are quite elegant and contemporary in feeling. The geometry of the design reminds a bit of artists like Richard Diebenkorn...

For the connoisseur of pastoral, traditional 17th century Dutch landscape painting, this is actually a contemporary work on panel, by Southern California artist WILLIAM GALVEZ of Placentia. The technique, featuring fine detail and a smooth glazed surface, and the handling of the subject matter, including silhouetted tree, last light of day effects, humble abode, and tiny figures and animals, demonstrate the artist's familiarity with the Dutch Old Masters of previous centuries...

A beautifully painted work, 10 1/4" by 14 1/4" inside the mat, unframed, apparently by a Massachusetts artist by the name of Edith Currier Walker. This was purchased in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in a shrink wrap sleeve, with a handwritten label that stated this was by an Edith Currier Walker. The work is not signed on the front but on the reverse is some writing that looks like "E v. C Wa....."...

An impressive bit of Americana---a large lithograph portrait in oval form, the print created by Peter S. Duval Co. of Philadelphia circa 1856, after a bust portrait by the noted American artist Rembrandt Peale (1778-1860). The Duval operation was highly regarded in its day for the quality of the prints produced...

A small gem of a watercolor painting, the subject a traditional house in a landscape with trees, signed at lower right "F Diday fecit", ("fecit" Latin for "did it" or "made it"), circa mid 19th century. The work on laid paper measures 3 1/4" by 5 1/8" inside the beautifully hand drawn lines mat. Presently this is unframed...

Oil on wood panel still life painting of ceramic vessels, plate, kettle, and candlestick, all arranged on a tabletop, apparently unsigned, but on the reverse of the panel is a "Royal Exhibition" 1930 label, and there is a James Bourlet shipping label as well. The work measures 20" by 24" (27 1/2" by 31 1/2" framed). This beautifully impressionistic work is likely by a listed artist but I am stymied by the lack of a signature...

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...

By the hand of the noted Polish-born Jewish artist who spent most of his life in California, BERNARD BARUCH ZAKHEIM (1896-1985) is this very early (1929) watercolor study "Mural Design for Monterey Calif". We see an image of a number of figures evidently hard at work in a landscape (possibly harvesting). The watercolor, 11 1/2" by 12" and 14" by 15 1/2" framed, dates to less than a decade after the artist arrived in California...

Late 19th or early 20th century American watercolor of several small sailing craft off a dock, signed at lower right with what appears as "L. Hart" or similar. (There might be a "18" below the signature---possibly as in 1918, but it is difficult to make out with any certainty). The work measures 9 3/4" by 8" (14 3/4" by 13" framed). Let's call the artist a talented amateur who created a pleasant scene. Condition is good. Gilded oak framing has light wear but is complementary to the art...

A peaceful scene---slow moving creek in a landscape, bordered by trees in what appears to be early autumn, signed at lower left center by Massachusetts listed artist JOHN J. FRANCIS (1862-1933). The work is competently painted by an artist who seems to have specialized in the watercolor medium. His works are often encountered in New England. Auction records seem to be hopeless entangled with another American artist with the same name, born in 1889 and died 1939. That Francis was more of an i...

Really well executed watercolor of a classic American town's streets and buildings, as seen from a bird's eye view on a gray, snowy winter day, 14" by 11 1/2" inside the present mat, unframed, signed at lower left by artist Warren Blackwell, and dated there 1948. It is surprising that there seems to be no information available on the artist, as his handling of the medium is so skilled and advanced. The scene is very American, and reminiscent of the American Scene art of the 1930's and early 19...

A 19th century European pencil drawing of a classical male figure seated on a drape, holding a staff and a round object, signed with initials at lower right with what appears as "MLB". There is no other hint as to the identity of the artist. The paper has no watermarks. Measurements are 9 1/2" by 7" inside the mat, 14 7/8" by 11 1/4" in inexpensive modern frame behind non glare glass.

Color print, 8 1/4 by 12" inside the mat, 14 1/2" by 18" as framed, (no glass), the subject the famous booksellers by the Seine in Paris, Notre Dame cathedral in the distance, numbered at lower left 166 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 signed. This print...