1874 Harper's Weekly Woodcut Philadelphia Athletics Question
 

Recently, I won an auction for an 1874 Harper's Weekly woodcut of the Philadelphia Athletics. I'm very pleased with it and plan to have it matted and framed.

Just as I won this auction, the apparent identical piece came up in an eBay auction. The only difference that I could see was mine was colorized. The eBay picture was not.

My question for my Net54 friends is why is there two different versions? Are both authentic?

Thanks for your thoughts.

https://loveofthegameauctions.com/Lo...ntoryid=17391#


https://www.ebay.com/itm/1874-Harper...s/372517331690

It is very common for these print to have been colorized by an artist AFTER they were published. The magazine wouldn’t do it but some artist would get a copy did the color and sell the product. You can search and find a lot of woodcut from the time getting these enhancement. Not really sure how tho effects value but a well done colorization could not hurt in my opinion

These are an unusual case where the coloring was done after the publishing, but the nicely colored ones are usually worth more. Yours was colored very nicely/aesthetically.

Also, I think the 1874 A's is one of the best of these kinds of prints.

I like them both ways, but with a caution.
First, in the early 90’s I was told by booksellers that these were available by order, from California I believe. Authentic woodcuts but the painting could be ordered. Unfortunately some of the painted ones I have seen are not anywhere near accurately painted, but many are pretty good.
I really like them both ways and I think they are a great item. Congratulations
By the way, I am not implying yours is inaccurate, only that some are.

Thank you very much, Jason, drcy and bgar3 for the awesome info!

Whoever added the color had a great eye and some real skills. They kept the coloring subtle when it would have been very easy to go overboard with too much color.

I think it will be a great piece to mat, frame and hang in a prominent area for display.

Thanks, again, guys.