Original Antique 1903 Usda York Imperial Apple Chromolithograph | Lyons Ltd. Provenance | Armand Lee Custom Framing | Bertha Heiges

Details

Description

An exceptional original 1903 U.S. Department of Agriculture color chromolithograph depicting the York Imperial apple, illustrated by Bertha Heiges and … Read more An exceptional original 1903 U.S. Department of Agriculture color chromolithograph depicting the York Imperial apple, illustrated by Bertha Heiges and published in the Yearbook of the United States Department of Agriculture. The composition presents the fruit both whole and in longitudinal section, documenting its distinctive red skin, flesh, core, seed placement, and internal structure with the scientific precision characteristic of the USDA’s important turn-of-the-century pomological program.

Bertha Heiges was one of the accomplished artists working for the USDA during this period and is documented as an artist within the Bureau of Plant Industry. The York Imperial itself is an important historic American cultivar, originating in York County, Pennsylvania, and becoming a major commercial winter apple valued for its keeping qualities and market appeal. The variety was also historically known as Johnson’s Fine Winter.

The reverse retains unusually strong documentary provenance from Lyons Ltd. Antique Prints, the noted California specialist in original historical graphic works. The original Lyons label identifies the piece as an “American Fruit Plate. Original Color Plate of Early Varieties. American. Circa 1900.” A separate gallery inventory label further records “US. DEPT - AMERICAN FRUIT,” “1900,” and “COLOR PLATE,” preserving direct dealer documentation with the object.

The presentation is exceptional and is itself an important component of the piece. The work was custom framed by Armand Lee & Company of Chicago and retains the original Armand Lee reverse label with order number 982693. Armand Lee is a long-established Chicago fine-art framing house known for bespoke, hand-finished framing and museum-quality work. This elaborate presentation incorporates a richly finished reddish-brown outer molding, broad silvered and ivory-toned central molding, sculptural gilt beaded inner detail, wide woven linen matting, and a separately bordered aperture surrounding the USDA plate.

The combination of the original 1903 USDA chromolithograph, identifiable York Imperial subject, Bertha Heiges attribution, Lyons Ltd. dealer provenance, preserved inventory documentation, and documented Armand Lee custom framing makes this a particularly complete and sophisticated example of early American botanical and pomological graphic art.

Overall Height: 13 1/4”
Overall Width: 10 3/4”
Overall Depth: 3/4”
Visible Image: 7” H × 5” W See less