Abe Lincoln engraving

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stevievaughn

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Darlington Md
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Artworx Framing
I have this Abe Lincoln print that’s very old. The mat is badly stained with lignens and it seems to be permanently attached, see back photo. Under the title it reads painted and engraved by Wm E Marshall. Anyone know what I have and do you think it’s worthy of a conservator consult?
 
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Yes, consult a conservator about removing it from the old mat and fixing it up.

Even if it has no long term value, I would suggest framing digital reproduction, because (A) the image could be cleaned up and color corrected for display, (B) a framed reproduction would probably not deteriorate for a long time (the original would go quickly), and (C) it could be reproduced in multiples.
 
Jim is there a good place for safe digital reproduction. Like is FedEx Kinko or Staples a good choice or would you recommend somewhere I am in the Baltimore area
 
stevievaughn said:
Jim is there a good place for safe digital reproduction. Like is FedEx Kinko or Staples a good choice or would you recommend somewhere I am in the Baltimore area
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Generally, I set my Canon or Nikon DSLR on a tripod and snap a few photos, then have a specialist crop, correct, and print the image. Once you have created a good-quality, high-resolution digital image, you can send it away to be corrected and cropped by a company such as Digital Custom. They can usually print if you wish, or send the corrected image back to you, and you can have it printed locally.

Sorry, but I can't offer any advice about specialists for making the digital reproduction in your area. In most metro areas there are several mass-market stores that have similar equipment for this, but the results are entirely dependent on who's doing the work. Maybe an industrious portrait photographer could help, too.
 
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You all might call me silly, but I would put a sheet of Artcare foam behind it frame it as is with an antique gold and black frame and Museum glass, and enjoy the patina of age that has been around for many many years. A Florentine gold frame with a black panel from Munn Frameworks would be perfect
 
Hello,

I've done quite a bit of art historical work with nineteenth century prints in the past, and I was able to find a number of these prints on auction sites and other places.

For example, another version of this print popped up on eBay recently: Abraham Lincoln Engraving 1866 by William E Marshall in Wood Frame Under Glass | eBay https://www.ebay.com/itm/114538896922

Yet another sold at auction in 2018 (this site identifies it as a steel engraving): William E. Marshall Steel Plate Engraving of Abraham Lincoln https://www.cowanauctions.com/lot/william-e-marshall-steel-plate-engraving-of-abraham-lincoln-3189421

There's even a notice in the New York Times from 1866 about the print: Marshall's Line Engraving of President Lincoln. https://nyti.ms/3dRZKzL

Probably a good idea to have the print looked at by a pro. Hope this helps!
 
Pat Murphey said:
You all might call me silly, but I would put a sheet of Artcare foam behind it frame it as is with an antique gold and black frame and Museum glass, and enjoy the patina of age that has been around for many many years. A Florentine gold frame with a black panel from Munn Frameworks would be perfect
Click to expand...

Not silly at all.

I had a regular customer who used to bring in John Gould prints which were, sadly, printed on pretty ordinary paper which usually needed conservation work. I had one in the shop pre conservation which I showed to another customer who was interested in such works. He commented that he would be happy to buy it as it was but would not want it "mucked about with" by a conservator as he liked his artwork "natural".

To each his own, I guess.
 
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