James Abbott McNeill question about etching of black lion wharf

tyblossom · March 16th, 2010, 04:30 PM

I have an offer to buy a Whistler James Abbott McNeill etching that is the black lion wharf from a gallery. I believe they are trustworthy, but I'm trying to figure out the value. Is there anything I need to know about this etching? Was there more than one run or how many were there? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I was told it was an original etchng on thin Japan wove paper, signed to plate & dated 1859. The plate measures c. 7 x 10 inches / 14 x 17 framed. Thanks for your time.

John · March 16th, 2010, 06:41 PM

I am not expert on prints or on Whistler, but you can get a general idea of what this etching has sold for at auction by looking at FindArtInfo.
http://www.findartinfo.com/search/listprices.asp?keyword=13267&name=James_Abbott_Mcn eill_Whistler

There are over 1,000 works listed. There's an example of the Black Lion Wharf print on the first page, and I'm sure if you dig a bit you will find more.

If you want to dig even deeper, you can purchase a 1-day membership for $5 and find the full details of each sale. Then you can go to the auction house's own website and possibly see reproductions and learn even more.

Of course the price will vary depending on the condition of the print as well as some of the other things you mention. Also, auction prices are typically lower than gallery prices. Still, it's a start.

tyblossom · March 16th, 2010, 08:39 PM

I found some information online about that etching and I see it says the following.
Etching (Kennedy 42, State III, as published in A Series of Sixteen Etchings of Scenes on the Thames, 1871)
What does that mean? The Kennedy 42 and State III etc.? Is there any way to find out how many of these were printed? Can new ones be printed? I'm pretty sure that the dealer I'm purchasing this from is on the up and up, but I'd still like to learn more, before I buy.
There is something that concerns me about the etching that I am looking at purchasing. There is a small boat in the bottom corner. I believe this might be an actual drawing by him. I think I remember a while back that I had seen something like this before where he did a drawing like that. I just can't find anything online about that.

August 26th, 2010, 08:39 AM

Hello,

I have just recently aquired the same etching. Apparently ours are Identical. Mine to has the little clipper ship in the lower left hand area of the drawing. I have had mine looked at by two other art dealers and a restorer who all said it was real. Did you purchase the piece and for how much if you don't mind me asking? If you did I would like to compare them as I do not have any referencing material on any others that have the little clipper ship. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Chirstopher

hidesert47 · September 22nd, 2011, 09:22 PM

I have this print, which has been in the family for many, many years. On the lower left, just below the etched area, are the words "Sunday at the Harbor" in longhand, in pencil. I'd like to learn the origin of this handwritten line. Has anyone seen this before?

March 16th, 2010, 04:30 PM	#1
tyblossom Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 47	James Abbott McNeill question about etching of black lion wharf I have an offer to buy a Whistler James Abbott McNeill etching that is the black lion wharf from a gallery. I believe they are trustworthy, but I'm trying to figure out the value. Is there anything I need to know about this etching? Was there more than one run or how many were there? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I was told it was an original etchng on thin Japan wove paper, signed to plate & dated 1859. The plate measures c. 7 x 10 inches / 14 x 17 framed. Thanks for your time.

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March 16th, 2010, 06:41 PM	#2
John John Malyon, host Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 2,401	I am not expert on prints or on Whistler, but you can get a general idea of what this etching has sold for at auction by looking at FindArtInfo. http://www.findartinfo.com/search/listprices.asp?keyword=13267&name=James_Abbott_Mcn eill_Whistler There are over 1,000 works listed. There's an example of the Black Lion Wharf print on the first page, and I'm sure if you dig a bit you will find more. If you want to dig even deeper, you can purchase a 1-day membership for $5 and find the full details of each sale. Then you can go to the auction house's own website and possibly see reproductions and learn even more. Of course the price will vary depending on the condition of the print as well as some of the other things you mention. Also, auction prices are typically lower than gallery prices. Still, it's a start.

August 26th, 2010, 08:39 AM	#4
Unregistered Posts: n/a	Hello, I have just recently aquired the same etching. Apparently ours are Identical. Mine to has the little clipper ship in the lower left hand area of the drawing. I have had mine looked at by two other art dealers and a restorer who all said it was real. Did you purchase the piece and for how much if you don't mind me asking? If you did I would like to compare them as I do not have any referencing material on any others that have the little clipper ship. Thank you. Sincerely, Chirstopher

September 22nd, 2011, 09:22 PM	#5
hidesert47 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 1	I have this print, which has been in the family for many, many years. On the lower left, just below the etched area, are the words "Sunday at the Harbor" in longhand, in pencil. I'd like to learn the origin of this handwritten line. Has anyone seen this before?