Francis Merritt
Description Francis Merritt (1913–2000) → Director of the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, respected American artist, printmaker, and educator. Title: “Pied Piper” Date: April 1987 (written on the back) Inscription on front margin: Looks like: “Long Night Show / to Bear no Fury Bloom in the Spring” (He often added poetic notes or phrases on proofs.) Signature: Signed F. S. Merritt ‘87 at the lower right. Medium: This is important — it’s NOT a regular print. It appears to be a collage + ink + graphite over printed background. The tracing-paper figure layered over the decorative printed border makes this look like: • A preparatory study • OR a maquette (prototype for a finished print or book illustration) • OR a one-off mixed-media artwork Pieces like this are not editioned. They are usually unique.
Inherited
Yes
Hello, this item is a mixed media artwork by Francis Merritt, dated 1987 and signed at the lower right. Merritt was an American artist and educator known for his collage based works and for directing the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts. This piece combines a decorative printed border with a graphite figure drawn on translucent paper, layered to create depth. The handwritten inscription on the lower margin aligns with Merritt’s habit of adding poetic or experimental text to unique works. The structure confirms that this is not an editioned print but a one off composition created as a study or maquette.
The condition appears stable with no visible tears or discoloration on the collage elements or the drawing layer. Works by Merritt vary in value depending on medium, size, and uniqueness. His one off studies and mixed media compositions often sell between 300 and 700 dollars in the current market, with higher prices for larger or more detailed pieces. Given the date, signature, and the layered construction, a fair market value for this artwork is 350 to 500 dollars.
