James Mcneil Whistler Engraving found last week!!!Title changed

Get-the-point · Aug 23, 2010

Ok, so I did not Glam up the Title, but I can tell you I am freakin out of my mind happy about this!!!! My cousin calls me up and asks me if I want to go antiquing with him. He said to me that he saw a couple of old antique stores he wanted to check out. So we got together and went to them. So after going into the first one a very beautiful colonial home that I was told it was built in 1746. This building alone was a work of art inside!!! So after looking at a few things I turned the corner where I saw this engraving on the wall. The price tag had on it Early Engraving. I looked at it and felt it was real and then looked at the signature..........What I saw next was the only thing capable of getting me to snap it up and pay for it without question!!!! I saw Whistler, 1859......Yes....... James Mcneil Whistler!!!! I have aquired a rare Whistler Engraving. After purchasing it, I took it to two Fine Arts Dealers and a Restorer of Fine Art. The first one looked at it and said, Oh my God!!!! You have a real Whistler Engraving!!! The second one told me that is was very real and worth alot of money. I took it to the art restorer due to the fact that it has about 5 foxing dots on it and I wanted it restored and he refused to touch it. He stated that it is 100% intact and in great condition. I would love to keep this piece as it will just keep rising in value but it can take care of alot of issues in my life right now so I am taking it to Swann Auctions this week where they are gonna auction it for me!!! I will be getting a Metal Detector!!! My reward to myself so suggestions would be great!!!! I have found this very same engraving on Christies and Sotheby's, one sold for 6k another for 5+k and these auctions took place 4 yrs ago. So it is on the buyer on what he feels its worth, but the appraiser already gave me a base value of 5k. I hope you all enjoy this rare piece.............it is Titled.........."Black Lion Wharf" it is part of the Sixteen Etching plates series that James Mcneil Whistler did. This was a great find and it made all those hunts worth it!!!! Please Enjoy!!!..........................GTP>>>>>>>>>>>

romeo-1 · Aug 23, 2010

Re: My find for the weekend!!!

Amazing find...but you gotta tell us what you paid for it!

Get-the-point · Aug 24, 2010

Re: My find for the weekend!!!

romeo-1 said:
Amazing find...but you gotta tell us what you paid for it!

I paid $110 for it!! I'm still shocked i'm in possession of something Whistler did. I have been collecting art for five years and this is my most significant find with regards to paintings and engravings!!

GioTheGreek · Aug 24, 2010

Re: My find for the weekend!!!

Nice work What a deadly find.

You are the antiquing maaaaster

GL!

cntrydncr1 · Aug 24, 2010

Re: My find for the weekend!!!

that is fantastic!! congratulations to you and I hope you get what it is worth! I'm assuming there is a "reserve" price? Score!!!

Get-the-point · Aug 24, 2010

Re: My find for the weekend!!!

cntrydncr1 said:
that is fantastic!! congratulations to you and I hope you get what it is worth! I'm assuming there is a "reserve" price? Score!!!

I will be setting one with approval from the auction house on what it should be at!! Thanks all this was a great moment for me!!!

lennon631 · Aug 24, 2010

Re: My find for the weekend!!!

"GET the hell outta here"! LOL, That is fantastic! Reading your post I can feel your excitement and trembling, I am SO happy for you! GREAT GREAT GREAT find! I get those butterfly stomachs just BEing in the presence of master works. OWNING one? Couldn't imagine. Be careful, don't rush it, and put a reserve on it. Call Sotherby's and others anyway, get as MUCH input as you can cram into your excited head! <Smile> GREAT story, and keep us all informed! :hello2:

Get-the-point · Aug 24, 2010

Re: My find for the weekend!!!

lennon631 said:
"GET the hell outta here"! LOL, That is fantastic! Reading your post I can feel your excitement and trembling, I am SO happy for you! GREAT GREAT GREAT find! I get those butterfly stomachs just BEing in the presence of master works. OWNING one? Couldn't imagine. Be careful, don't rush it, and put a reserve on it. Call Sotherby's and others anyway, get as MUCH input as you can cram into your excited head! <Smile> GREAT story, and keep us all informed!

Thanks Lennon, I am hoping with the knowledge I have on it now that I do get what it is worth. It was a great score. IMO a banner find if any for paintings and engravings!!!!!I know the feeling about being in the presence of master works. I search for them weekly!!! I have found quite a few beautiful piece's, but none as famous as this Whistler.......................

Get-the-point · Aug 25, 2010

Re: My find for the weekend!!!

GioTheGreek said:
Nice work What a deadly find.

You are the antiquing maaaaster GL!

I wouldn't call myself that. I am however getting good at recognition of high quality items. So as far as antiquing is concerned, I'm the antiquing novice who just scored. I know there are plenty more for all of us to find out there just got to keep hunting. That is the part that I love the most and finds like this make it all worth while...............Thank Gio for the kind comments!!

Michellets · Aug 25, 2010

One thing that you should bear in mind is that it is not the engraving that is as important as when it was printed, was it printed as part of an early series of prints by the artist, where are the original plates, when was it actually printed, and who printed it where, etc....? You can buy Rembrant engravings, with engravings it's a much different ball game. and some are not very valuble.....Overall there are some good etchings and aquatints to be obtained on the market, and you never know when you'll find them, but always assume the worst and expect the best.... I don't usually pay more than $20 for a etching or print of anykind that I find, and also..... always look at it through a viewing loupe, a line can tell a lot about a print... enjoy...M

Get-the-point · Aug 25, 2010

Michellets said:
One thing that you should bear in mind is that it is not the engraving that is as important as when it was printed, was it printed as part of an early series of prints by the artist, where are the original plates, when was it actually printed, and who printed it where, etc....? You can buy Rembrant engravings, with engravings it's a much different ball game. and some are not very valuble.....Overall there are some good etchings and aquatints to be obtained on the market, and you never know when you'll find them, but always assume the worst and expect the best.... I don't usually pay more than $20 for a etching or print of anykind that I find, and also..... always look at it through a viewing loupe, a line can tell a lot about a print... enjoy...M

There are no markings to indicate a print. I have viewed this under loop and the lines are absolutely the tell all. If you noticed my write-up on this you would see that I have already gone through the ropes on this to find out more information and authenticity. At current standings my opinion does not stand alone on this. I have been collecting for a while now and through that learning process came the discipline to learn the difference. The one key fact is this, It is real and it was made on a cream white paper that I have never seen before until now. The paper and the ink show this to be either a work of the original artist or the work of a master reproducer who seemed to have got everything correct with regards to the image and the paper. Another note is the fact that I have already had this looked at by people that have been dealing with art for over 25yrs, plus a art restorer who has worked for Sotheby's. So I am thinking I am safe with those opinions......Thanks for the advice and the reply. I am always hoping the best for my finds and this is one that I knew by looking at was not a reprint of any type. As far as the plates, I believe they are now in a Museum, I'm just going off of what I have learned so far about the artist. Thanks for the advice and the comment........................

watercolor · Aug 25, 2010

Wow!!

Is that a miniature pencil sketch "re-mark" (sailboat) in the lower left corner?
If it is, that should add additional value to your piece.

GopherDaGold · Aug 25, 2010

Should look awesome hanging above that prized table! :icon_thumleft:

Get-the-point · Aug 25, 2010

GopherDaGold said:
Should look awesome hanging above that prized table!

Yes it should!!! To bad this one is going to auction. I would love to keep it but got to get that metal detector and pay off some things. Always look forward to your humorous banter Gopher keep it coming as my treasure is starting to finally add up..............Get-The-Point............

GopherDaGold · Aug 25, 2010

I KNEW your original post sounded familiar!
I hope you score BIG on the engraving!

Dirt fishing Wolf · Aug 25, 2010

WOW what an engraving, don't know much about them. Don't buy your Metal Detector at an antique store.

Get-the-point · Aug 25, 2010

watercolor said:
Wow!!

Is that a miniature pencil sketch "re-mark" (sailboat) in the lower left corner?
If it is, that should add additional value to your piece.

Apparently it is a part of the plate and was kind of like a hallmark for him in his earlier years. I have only seen it on a couple as most have had the margins cropped down to just show the image. I have an idea of what it might bring in but it is always on the buyer. I thought the same thing with the hallmark at first but then noticed he had it on others. Funny to note how the one at Sotheby's that sold for 6k did not have the mark on it. One that sold at Swann did. I have to put it under blacklight yet to see if there is a hologram on it. Some have had this found on them. I get scared when I remove it to really look at it. So I try and limit that and have only done so for the people that have looked at it..............................