Featured You all Probably recognize the sitter in this 19th Century engraving

If you don't then we may need to have a talk lol.
I took a drive down the old river road this morning and stopped at a few places looking for treasures along the way.
This is large 13 1/2" x 16 1/2" approx, I didn't remove it from the frame.
All I could find so far is John C Mc Rae was active from 1850 to 1880
So, if it is real then I might have done well for the $20.00 they charged me.
Mikey

 

@2manybooks could you take a look?
Any thoughts appreciated.
Mikey

 

What, exactly, are you concerned about being "real"? If you are focused on the signature - no, it is reproduced in the engraving, a common format for such 19th century portraits.

It appears to be a mixed method engraving. Have you examined it under magnification? I cannot see a plate mark (the impression created around an image when the engraved plate is pressed into the paper), but it might be under the mat.

The image appears to be based on a photograph published as a carte de visite by D. Appleton & Co in 1861. The reversal would be a product of the copying process.

https://www.bing.com/images/search?...590240684*thid_OIP.TybaxIdTZY8viFxqKWsjVwHaLX

https://www.gilderlehrman.org/collection/glc08870

The paper should be machine made "wove" paper by the mid 19th century. It appears to be in very good condition, which would be unusual for a print of this period made for display in a home or office. It may have been published in a book/portfolio of portraits, a popular format in the 19th century, which could have protected it from damage (until a "breaker" dismantled the book for sale). I have not found other examples of this particular engraving, although I found a number of variations with the image reversed again, with additional elements surrounding the central portrait.

@Debora and @moreotherstuff may have more to say.

 

Pretty much covers it, I'd say. A steelplate engraving from a book or an art magazine. If printed with a mechanical process, a plate mark may not be present.

 

Thank you both for the information.
Book plate sounds logical.
Mikey