Details
Description
This exceptional 1927 antique portrait of Benjamin Franklin is a premium, hand-signed color mezzotint engraving by renowned British printmaker Thomas …
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This exceptional 1927 antique portrait of Benjamin Franklin is a premium, hand-signed color mezzotint engraving by renowned British printmaker Thomas Hamilton Crawford (1860–1948). Published by the prestigious fine art firm Frost & Reed Ltd. of Bristol, England, this piece is an elite early 20th-century reproduction of Joseph Siffred Duplessis' iconic 1778 oil masterpiece—the historic portrait that served as the creative inspiration for the United States one-hundred-dollar bill.This particular print is a highly collectible artist-approved gallery proof. The lower-left margin features the distinct embossed oval blind stamp seal of the "SUE" (Société Universelle d'Estampes) printing house in Paris, confirming its museum-grade, plate-struck authenticity. The lower-right margin is personally hand-signed in graphite pencil by the master engraver himself, T. Hamilton Crawford. Along the lower edge, the crisp original publication line reads: "Copyright 1927 by Frost & Reed Ltd (of Bristol, England) in the United States of America."The artwork is beautifully presented in a sophisticated, multi-tiered cream paper museum matboard with custom line detailing. It is housed in its original, elegant vintage gilded gold wood frame that arrives ready to hang. A flawless addition to traditional, colonial, library, or classic Americana interior aesthetics.
Condition:Excellent vintage/antique condition. The frame exhibits minor, age-appropriate wear and light patination to the gilt finish, adding to its authentic character. The print remains beautifully preserved beneath the glass with rich, deep coloration and no visible tearing or staining.
Note on Artist: While listed under Chairish's "Unknown Artist" designation due to database limitations, this genuine antique print is fully documented, hand-signed in pencil by master engraver T. Hamilton Crawford, and struck after the famous 1778 painting by Joseph Siffred Duplessis.
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- Dimensions
- 21ʺW × 1ʺD × 25ʺH
- Frame Type
- Framed
- Period
- 1920s
- Country of Origin
- United Kingdom
- Item Type
- Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned
- Materials
- Glass
- Mezzotint
- Paper
- Wood
- Condition
- Good Condition, Unknown, Some Imperfections
- Color
- Burgundy
- Condition Notes
- This 1927 antique print is in excellent vintage condition and has been exceptionally well-preserved under glass. The paper is clean … moreThis 1927 antique print is in excellent vintage condition and has been exceptionally well-preserved under glass. The paper is clean and bright with no foxing or staining, and the T. Hamilton Crawford pencil signature remains crisp and clear. The multi-tiered museum matting is pristine, and the original gilded wood frame shows only minor, age-appropriate wear and light patination that enhances its authentic antique character. The back paper is beginning to pull away from upper left corner. That is the only issue. less
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