N. Lancret - Nicaise 18th century print - To trim or not to trim?

I got this as a gift after purchasing a table. I'm not sure if it's 100% my style or what I'm going to do with it.
I have a frame that is the right width but the print is a bit too big vertically. Do you think it would be a terrible thing to cut the extra material off?



The British museum has the same print in their collections:

http://www.britishmuseum.org/resear...object_details.aspx?objectId=1618025&partId=1

as you can see by comparison, the print I have has been already trimmed a little bit at some point.

 

So you would be trimming the image itself? Have to say I'm not a big fan that idea. Trimming it further is not likely to please a buyer. At this point it looks like the only thing lost is the engraver's credit and address. The rest of the inscription pertains to the meaning of the print. It would be missed.

Note that the engraving is by Nicolas de Larmessin III after a painting by Nicolas Lancret and dates some time between 1740-55.

FYI... here’s a synopsis of the story originally by Jean de la Fontaine:
Nicaise is an apprentice in a shop. The shop owner’s daughter, a virgin of course, falls madly in love with him, wants nothing more than to be with him forever. But Nicaise doesn’t have a clue. She’s throwing herself at him left, right and center, but just bouncing off because he’s totally out of his depth and oblivious. Eventually, along comes a wealthy squire who takes a liking to the girl and arranges a marriage. On her wedding day, dressed in her wedding finery, the girl connives one more shot at Nicaise. She tells her fiancé, just before the nuptials, that she wants a nosegay from the garden and he allows her to go, unaware that she has arranged to meet Nicaise and has posted a companion as a sentry to ensure privacy. Nicaise shows up and it’s the big opportunity for them to consummate their love. Sadly, only the girl is aware of this; Nicaise remains totally oblivious. He sizes up the situation and says “Dang! What a damp and wild place. You’re going to ruin that beautiful dress! Let me go and get a carpet you can stand on.” Well… she would protest but the kid’s already gone. She has no choice but to go to her wedding and, when he returns, with the carpet, she is gone. Fontaine’s closing comment to Nicaise?

You’re quite a master in the shopping trade;
Stuffs you can sell, and ask the highest price;
And to advantage turn things in a trice.
But opportunity you can’t discern;
To know its value, --prithee go and learn.

Full text about halfway down the page in this link:
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/5290/5290.txt

 

If the print has already been trimmed the value , whatever it was ...is mostly shot !!

Trim it frame it and enjoy it !!

 

Do you mean you don't know if you'll be keeping it for yourself or giving it to someone or trying to sell it???????

 

Ooooh... just my personal feeling (and this from a purger, minimalist and tossitosis sufferer) I'd hate to trim and lose any more of it...
I think the 'extra material' adds a lot of history and sentiment.