This and That: A Blog

P ompeii. The Race  ( P ompei. La Corsa ) i s a watercolor painting signed Scognamiglio,  inspired by ancient Roman wall paintings in the Pompeian style.  Scognamiglio is a common surname in Naples, so the artist can't be narrowed down.  Artist families would work together in the Neapolitan workshops near Pompeii producing fresco copies for tourists.  This piece dates to between 1935 and 1950. These dates are based on the paper type, and border and signature style.  I bought this at a yard sale with a lot of other works of art, so divided evenly probably cost a bit under $1. There's a P poetry form for this here , a Pareado. 

 This triptych (a single composition divided into three parts that are meant to be viewed together) etching, Freedom , is by Barbara Whipple (1921-1989).  It's number 15 of 35.  Her etchings are quite valuable.  I'm not so fond of this I wouldn't sell it, as I only paid $2.24 at Goodwill!  I don't know a lot, but I know to pick up numbered prints for cheap, just in case! This information was on the back of the mat.   I've not seen one of these before, but learned that in several states there are laws requiring disclosure of edition size, medium, and master plate status of prints, also called a Certificate of Authenticity.  Art dealers can be fined for selling prints without this. Art dealers would refuse to buy a print without one too, as they would be unable to sell it.  I wonder if having it makes my Whipple more valuable?   On a different day at Goodwill I got this 4" carved wooden mask, probably from Bali.  This might be th...

Ever heard or read the expression, " In my defense, the moon was full and I was left unsupervised "? Well, I may have gone wild at Goodwill recently, and I can't use a full moon as an excuse, it was only in its first quarter phase.  What happened? " In my defense, there was a lot of good art, and I was left unsupervised ." Good art like these antique steel engravings. Neither were properly matted or framed, which I have done.  $4.21 each. Dieppe 1834 Dieppe is a port town in Normandy, France. The fortress,  Château de Dieppe, was founded in 1188 by King Henry II of England, and destroyed seven years later by King Philip II of France.  It was rebuilt in the 4th century, and is now houses a museum .  Dunluce Castle c1840 Dunluce Castle was built in the 13th century on the edge of a basalt cliff, and is in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It was expanded by both the MacQuillan and MacDonnell clans, but after part of the kitchen collapsed in to the sea in the late...

  Guess what my son found at St. Vincent de Paul? If you guessed a typewriter, you'd be right! Not just any typewriter, probably his most valuable.  It's a beauty.   Really!  Even I was impressed when he opened the case.  A German-made Olympia SM-4, 1958-1961, the gold plated model.  See, it really is a beauty and it's not even cleaned up yet. Yes, he said, " No more typewriters ," but there are exceptions.  This was $15.00, and while he isn't interested in selling it, they are offered for sale at prices over $1,000!  Speaking of typewriters, a few days before, I got him one in the Goodwill Bins.  He doesn't collect electric models, which this is, but I brought it home for $3 anyway.   It's a 1969 Sears Medalist 12, and works great!  He had never tried an electric typewriter before, so was quite surprised how much he liked it.  He says he going to sell some of his other typewriters to make room.  NOT the gold plated o...