The hand drawn original etching is of former United States President Abraham Lincoln. This piece was drawn by artist Josef Pierre Nuyttens. The artist hand signed it as shown, and there is also an embedded stamp in the paper from the artist to verify it being his original work. In upper left corner it has the Lincoln Life Insurance Company name written. From my research Nuyttens drew portraits of Lincoln for this company. When searching online you will find similar works to this one, however none have the shown stamp embedded in the paper from the artist studio as this one does. This one also has "Abraham Lincoln" written on the lower left side in pencil, which looks like the artist might have tried to replicate Lincoln's signature on this piece. Lincoln was not living at the time I believe this piece was drawn, so I do bot believe it to be Lincoln's personal hand signature. The piece measures 19 inches in height and has a width of 17 inches. All photographs are of the exact item itself.
Was acquired at the recent estate sale of an antique and art collector. The owner's name was L. Roger Wells Jr. and he was a wealthy business man and former secretary of the state of Kentucky. Abraham Lincoln was born in Hodgenville Kentucky, which was only about thirty miles in distance from Mr. Wells home in Glasgow, Kentucky. This piece had been professionally framed and was hung in Mr. Wells office. I did remove the frame so I could see and get better photographs of the etching. I believe Mr. Wells had previously had it reframed.
Dear Bryan,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
The presented object appears to be an etching on paper with the measurements of 19 x 17 inches. The print depicts a portrait of President Abraham Lincoln and was made and hand-signed with pencil by Josef Pierre NUYTTENS (1885-1960).
Works by this artist were recently offered and sold on the international auction market.
This piece is in damaged condition and there are foxing and losses of material visible in the images provided.
A fair market estimation would be between 20 to 40 USD.
This estimate is based on actual recent past recorded auction sales of comparable items. Retail "asking prices" can be higher and may vary.
With kind regards,
Georg