Featured HOMERUN?! HELP w/SIGNATURE ON OLD BLACK AMERICANA? FOLK ART? PAINTING

I am convinced you have the real deal... but on pins and needles until you get the final word. Very exciting!

 

When you say "print," do you mean offet-lithography-modern-reproduction?

 

Looking at the painting yours looks to be pretty bright in color. Doesn't show the ageing it should have unless it was recently cleaned. Also looking at the ones on antiques roadshow the medium on their paintings were very smooth. Yours looks to have more of a rougher surface like bumps and ridges. The signature appears to be slightly different too but the frame/matting does cover half of your signature compared to the ones on ARS. Definitely still have it looked at.

 

Just went to 2 upscale mid century modern / vintage furniture & decor stores and a custom framing shop on 125th (N Miami's 'Downtown' - all 3 said it was a painting!
Still waiting on Skinner auction in Coral Gables (left voice mail and it said they'd contact ne within 24 hours), but I'm feeling a lot better! I was sure it was a painting but when someone said it could be a print with varnish I started to doubt myself a little.
Hopefully will be able to take to Skinner tomorrow and verify it for sure!

 

Also. Mine is very dark/dirty; the camera flash and auto control made it look brighter than it looks to naked eye.
It will definitely have to be cleaned.
Thank you all!

 

It would be typical for an artist to prepare a "ground" on his wood panel or canvas before painting, usually a form of gesso or white lead paint. This might explain the white scratches, if they have exposed the white ground.

 

Hi JM. I love the painting, and if it is by Walker, the frame seems original and would be appropriate to the period of his life. The paper cover on the back has been removed, but does the wooden panel look like it has also been removed? Are the nails original? When I look at your photos of the front edges, do I see card on which the painting was done? Could the wooden board be holding the painted card in place? All of these clues will help age the painting and add to its authenticity.
I think you made a great find, and good luck with the valuation.

 

One of the articles I read (can't find it now) said Walker painted on "academy board." When I started looking for academy board from the 19th century, I found an article (also missing at the moment) that said academy board was primed with chalk and white lead. I was not clear, but it seemed that they were saying it came pre-primed from the manufacturer.

 

Skinner just called & asked me to send photos - the email was from NJ (American & European art), so hopefully they will have me take it to Coral Gables for final authorization.

 

A good article on "The American Artist's Tools and Materials for On-Site Oil Sketching": http://cool.conservation-us.org/jaic/articles/jaic38-01-003.html

 

Skinner has done alright with Walker:

https://www.skinnerinc.com/search?s=William+Aiken+Walker

 

Sounds good, journey. I hope Skinner authenticate it, you deserve it. So does your long suffering girlfriend.
Whatever the outcome, it is a gorgeous picture.

 

Thanks Any Jewelry. I put it on eBay with $15,000 obo - can't hurt to see if it gets any offers. Besides I had a old Swiss travel poster that Christies agreed to put in a auction after I sent it in for free appraisal but the auction was 4 months away. If I can get a fair offer in a week instead of months I'm ok with that - I'm not going to lose money on it! Plus ebays 10% beats auctions 20% (if I get an offer)

 

You might want to take a look at this list of auction prices realized for William Aiken Walker:
http://www.findartinfo.com/english/list-prices-by-artist/4155/william-aiken-walker.html

 

Do you think $15k (OBO) is too much? Too little?

 

I would offer the caution that selling hastily (without authentication or any true idea of value) could end you up in a legal wrangle where the painting is tied up for much longer than four months.

The painting is yours to do with as you will, but please take a breath and wait... just a moment.

 

(Sorry, editing trouble)

 

"Do you think $15k (OBO) is too much? Too little?"

Don't know. That is why you need an expert appraisal.

 

This is the one most like yours sold by Skinner this year:

https://www.skinnerinc.com/auctions/3072B/lots/238