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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;moreotherstuff, post: 165836, member: 56&quot;]So you would be trimming the image itself?&nbsp; Have to say I&#039;m not a big fan that idea.&nbsp; Trimming it further is not likely to please a buyer.&nbsp; At this point it looks like the only thing lost is the engraver&#039;s credit and address.&nbsp; The rest of the inscription pertains to the meaning of the print.&nbsp; It would be missed.</p><p><br /></p><p>Note that the engraving is by Nicolas de Larmessin III after a painting by Nicolas Lancret and dates some time between 1740-55.</p><p><br /></p><p>FYI... here’s a synopsis of the story originally by Jean de la Fontaine:</p><p>Nicaise is an apprentice in a shop.&nbsp; The shop owner’s daughter, a virgin of course, falls madly in love with him, wants nothing more than to be with him forever.&nbsp; But Nicaise doesn’t have a clue.&nbsp; She’s throwing herself at him left, right and center, but just bouncing off because he’s totally out of his depth and oblivious.&nbsp; Eventually, along comes a wealthy squire who takes a liking to the girl and arranges a marriage.&nbsp; On her wedding day, dressed in her wedding finery, the girl connives one more shot at Nicaise.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; Nicaise shows up and it’s the big opportunity for them to consummate their love.&nbsp; Sadly, only the girl is aware of this; Nicaise remains totally oblivious.&nbsp; He sizes up the situation and says “Dang!&nbsp; What a damp and wild place.&nbsp; You’re going to ruin that beautiful dress!&nbsp; Let me go and get a carpet you can stand on.”&nbsp; Well… she would protest but the kid’s already gone.&nbsp; She has no choice but to go to her wedding and, when he returns, with the carpet, she is gone.&nbsp; Fontaine’s closing comment to Nicaise?</p><p><br /></p><p><i>You’re quite a master in the shopping trade;</i></p><p><i>Stuffs you can sell, and ask the highest price;</i></p><p><i>And to advantage turn things in a trice.</i></p><p><i>But opportunity you can’t discern;</i></p><p><i>To know its value, --prithee go and learn.</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p>Full text about halfway down the page in this link<i>:</i></p><p><a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/5290/5290.txt" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/5290/5290.txt" rel="nofollow">http://www.gutenberg.org/files/5290/5290.txt</a>[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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