Ok, this is just getting crazy now. As I mentioned in a previous post, I’m helping a friend of mine deal with his late aunt’s estate. I’ve been friends with the family most of my life. During this process, he has offered me a couple of the items in her collection. Perhaps as a thank you for the help, or just because he knows I like this sort of stuff. Regardless, I’ve acquired a couple of absolutely stunning antiques.

The latest is this:

From what I can tell it’s the real deal. I’m no expert, but there are pictures from the late 1800′s with this item on the wall in the background. I can see the impression from the plate, and after studying it for some time it’s pretty clear (at least to me) that it’s an authentic, 150 year-old engraving print.

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For the past two weekends I’ve been helping a friend deal with his aunt’s estate. While cleaning out some items, he gave me what appears to be an original 1857 print titled “The Return (First Class)”. I’m not an antique specialist by any means, but I have a decent interest in this sort of thing, and have definitely seen my share of Antiques Roadshow.

I know a lot of these are reproductions, but I took a closer look when I got it home (out of the frame) and the image is actually pressed onto the paper. There are no “print dots” or signs of mass-production. In fact, you can clearly see the impression marks around the border from what I assume was the engraving plate.

I’ve done a little research, and learned the image was originally part of a set. The other (I don’t have) was titled “The Departure”, and my friend thinks he saw that in the estate as well. He’s looking for it for me.

The paper is great condition, and only has minor discoloration. I can’t believe how good condition actually, considering the “assumed” age. On the back of the frame, there are some papers glued to the wood. One is a letter to the directors of the “Branbury and Chatham Railroad”, dated 1875, requesting some sort of railway extension or something. It’s pretty cool.

I have no reason to think it’s a fake, it came out of an incredible collection of items from 1700 – 1900. I’m wondering if anyone has any information on this sweet Victorian-era antique? I’d love to learn more.

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