Dear Helaine and Joe: I found this picture in my grandfather's attic. The scene depicts a raging forest fire. The words "American Colortype Co. Chi. & N. Y." are at the bottom left and "Copyright 1909 by A.G. Voss" is on the bottom right. There is some damage to one corner of the frame, but none on the picture. What is the history and value? — R.W., Falls Church, Va.
Dear R.W.: Old objects will generally tell you their history and what they are supposed to be if you know how to "read" them and interpret the data. Sometimes, this process can take a lifetime to learn. But in the case of this print, all the pertinent information is plainly written on the front.
This picture very clearly states what it is and what it is not. Right off the bat, we know it is a print and not an original work of art because of the printing that appears on the face of the image. We also know it is a print because it was made by American Colortype, which was a company working in both Chicago and New York City that was in the business of mass-producing inexpensive color reproductions of scenes and popular paintings.
These were sold to be used as nothing more than household decorations — i.e., pretty or interesting pictures to be hung on walls. This particular image was the work of "A.G. Voss," who is not (as far as we could determine) a "listed artist," which means that his name does not appear in any of the listings of known artists who were working at this time.
This leads us to speculate that Voss probably was an employee of American Colortype who created original works that the company printed and sold. The statement at the lower left of the print indicates that they felt the need to copyright this example of Voss' work so that it would not be stolen by one of the many other companies making prints at the time.
The 1909 date found on the piece is the earliest date this image could have been printed, and the example found in R.W.'s grandfather's attic was almost certainly made within three years of that date. This representation of a forest fire is rather unusual, but the unvarnished truth is that it was inexpensive when it was made and it is inexpensive now.
In fact, the most valuable part of this picture is the very nice gilt-wood frame that is elaborately decorated in the rococo manner, which originated in mid-18th-century France. There is some damage on this frame, but in the photograph it does not appear to be too serious.
In all likelihood, the frame could be easily repaired, and for insurance replacement purposes, this would make it worth between $250 and $350. Unfortunately, the print itself adds very little to this value.
Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson are the authors of Treasures in Your Attic (HarperCollins, $18). Questions can by mailed to them at P.O. Box 12208, Knoxville, TN 37912-0208.