I recently purchased a set of unrelated etchings(?)at an antiques stall which had been framed together (8 in one frame). They range in size from 5" x 2" to 5" x 7". Upon close inspection, I found that some of them were signed and dated. Artists, T. Moran, MN Moran, F.S. Church, ? Monks, Farrer. Various subjects, from seascapes to mermaids to cows and sheep. Dated 1880's. They appear to have been in the frame for quite some time, as they show signs of acidification. The works appear to be very fine, although I'm not sure how to tell whether they are original or reproductions. Any interest in hearing more about any of these, or if you have any info as to their value, I'd love to hear from you!

-- susan Helsley (sueh@maine.rr.com), April 02, 1999

Answers

I have had a number of etchings by both Thomas Moran and Mary Nimmo Moran, his wife, and the typical small plate size for both of these was about 8" x 12" (sight). It much more likely that your small plates are book illustrations. Thomas Moran's images from D. Appleton & Company's, "Picturesque America" are often found matted and framed. These are not copperplate etchings by Moran's hand, and the run certainly numbered in the thousands. The paper on which they were printed is very thick and opaque, and although it will not show, there is printing and sometimes other illustrations on the reverse side of the book plates.

There were many other engravings of works by Thomas Moran, in Art journals, published and sold framed for the popular market, and, in later years, as tourist souvenirs throughout the Southwest. These came in all sizes, large and small. You will probably have to have the prints examined by an art dealer or a museum curatorial staffmember to be sure, but it's unlikely that what you've described are the original copperplate etchings by either Morans' hand.

-- Charles Gardiner (cgard@rclink.net), April 06, 1999.