Antique Victorian Etchings: "Pied Piper" by R.W. Macbeth / G.J. Pinwell (1883/1884) - Dedicated to J

Hello everyone,
I wanted to share a rather interesting find and get your expert thoughts on it. I have a pair of framed Victorian etchings depicting the "Pied Piper of Hamelin". They were etched by Robert Walker Macbeth based on the original works by George John Pinwell.
What makes them particularly fascinating to me are the pencil inscriptions. They were published in 1883 and 1884, and one of them ("Pied Piper with Rats") carries a handwritten dedication to the artist J.W. North, exactly dated July 19, 1888 ("To J.W. North July 19 88...").
There is an old typed note attached to the back of one frame detailing the history, publication dates, and mentioning a small "closed tear" on the other print. Interestingly, only one frame retains the stamp from the "Millwheel Gallery, Porlock, Somerset" on the back. The second frame was clearly opened at some point to repair that very tear, which explains the missing stamp.
I've had some initial correspondence with a couple of galleries in London who confirmed their historical and biographical significance due to the strong connection between Macbeth, Pinwell, and North (the Idyllic School). However, I would love to hear the opinions of the collectors and art historians on this forum.
How desirable are pieces with this specific provenance in the current market? Any additional insights into the Macbeth/North connection would be greatly appreciated!
I've attached several photos, including close-ups of the signatures, the dated dedication to J.W. North, and the typed documentation on the back.
Thanks in advance for your time and knowledge!

 

Not what you asked but... The dates of the Millwheel Gallery are 1989 to 2004 and the information on the back appears to be computer-generated and printed rather than typed.

Debora

 

And, I can't see them in your photograph but... Aren't you referring to inscriptions rather than a dedications? And is your question... Do the inscriptions by the works' etcher to his friend, the artist John William North, add value to the works because it can be presumed they were once part of the artist's collection?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_William_North

Debora

 

maybe from a catalog , or auction listing.............

" I have taken the engraving from the frame..... & can hardly be seen when hanging on the wall.. "
That doesn't sound to AI , to me ........

 

The notes of someone who examined the works. But fairly recent as typed on a computer keyboard, not on a typewriter.

Debora

 

Thank you, Debora! That’s actually a brilliant piece of detective work and very helpful context. It makes perfect sense that the etchings were professionally examined, documented, and perhaps reframed by the Millwheel Gallery during that 1989-2004 window. It's great to finally have a clear timeline for when this condition report was made. Now I just hope someone can shed some light on the 1880s history and the J.W. North connection itself!

 

Thank you both for the keen observations! Debora, you make a great point regarding 'inscription' vs 'dedication'. Yes, the handwritten text reads "To J.W. North July 19 88 Robert W Macbeth". Because Macbeth and North were contemporaries and close associates within the Idyllic School, the London galleries I consulted interpreted this as a direct, personal gift from the etcher to his friend. My question is exactly as you phrased it: does this presumed connection to J.W. North's personal collection significantly elevate the desirability of these specific prints among collectors today? And komokwa, you are spot on—the phrasing on the back definitely sounds like a detailed condition report prepared by a specialist, perhaps when the piece was passing through the Millwheel Gallery or being prepared for sale decades ago.

 

I can only suggest that anything adding to the prints history would be seen by a collector as a positive attribute..... imo.

 

So the question is... Does the work's provenance add value? I think the challenge would be finding a buyer at all, much less one that was interested in the Macbeth + Pinwell connection. Here's a hand colored version of one of your pieces on offer for less than £100.

https://www.intaglio-fine-art.com/proddetail.php?prod=F100A

And eBay has many Active listings for the engraver's work with only one Completed.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=macbeth+engraving++robert+walker&_dmd=2&rt=nc

Debora

 

Thank you all so much for your time, research, and fantastic insights—especially Debora and komokwa. You’ve really helped me piece this puzzle together.
The reality check regarding the current market is exactly what I needed. It perfectly confirms what I had already started to suspect after talking to a few galleries: just because an item is genuinely fascinating and holds significant historical value, it doesn't always translate into high financial value in today's market.
I’m more than happy to just keep them hanging on my wall where they belong. I can enjoy their rich history and Victorian charm without worrying about the price tag. Thanks again for a great and educational discussion!