Featured Are unsigned paintings of any value? See clipper ship example.

In the 1970s we found a painting of a clipper ship, the Sea Serpent, in a great aunt's attic. My parents rematted the painting and at the time were told it wouldn't have any value because it may assigned. The painting, which appears more tinted with water colors, is simple in nature. The inscription below the painting is of the ships name, followed by "Built 1850 George Reynes Portsmouth NH" and then "Capt. Wm. Rowland". When the painting was rematted there was a Boston Morning Journal behind it dated April 25, 1874.

I've always enjoyed the painting and eventually discovered the ship held the record for a period of time of the fastest trip from the East Coast to San Francisco. I'd appreciate any insight to any value for this type of painting.

 

nice ship
hard to see anything in your photo's
the way the title is done...i think a print....not hand painted...

 

Strange sail configuration for a ship's portrait.

But the OP's question is whether "unsigned art" has value. Depends on the buyer's response to the piece, whether subject, coloration, the particular "style" or "school" or just that "gut reaction." Not everyone cares about buying "a name." Would you pay more for a piece signed by a known artist than for one unsigned? You might have to if well-known and critically acclaimed - therefore more "in demand." But that does not mean that the unsigned work is worthless.

 

No...the question is " Unsigned PAINTINGS".......& that's no painting...that I can see !

As to the value question.....yes you're right !

 

Appreciate the conversation. Sorry for the poor pics. I was trying avoid glare while it was hanging. I took it down and tried to capture more close ups. There are many places where I can see the pencil line guides. I am quite confident that it is hand done. That said, based on comments, my guess is value is limited unless someone just plain likes it.

 

And limited even more by the condition issues.

 

with the close up....yes..could be a water color..!

( see the value of good clear photo's.....!! ..)

 

The photos have almost no contrast, but what I can see looks typical of naive ship's portraits of the period, and as such there is collector interest for these. Signatures are almost always of no importance, for an art expert the signature if any is likely to be the last thing they look at and the least important.

The picture would do best in a specialised nautical sale. You may be able to find similar sold items from such sales.

 

I agree with Af. You might be pleasantly surprised.

 

Indeed odd for she's not getting anywhere fast with those few, for that ship, sails.

 

Can't find the Sea Serpent though.......yet.....

 

wait till they unfurl... maybe she's in rough water.?

 

"Help Cecil help! Help Cecil help!"

 

Far more so in this painting and if she is....
Then why all the weight up there?
Why not the lower sails???

 

SUPER CECIL !!!!!

 

Navy....u have me at a disadvantage......

 

"I'm comin' Beany Boyyy!"

 

I meant that to be pressure not weight.

 

painted that way to show more of the ship......?

 

http://northeastauctions.com/produc...in-portsmouth-new-hampshire-by-george-raynes/