I recently bought this print/lithograph (not sure of the difference) at a storage auction for $5 (U.S) along with another one called "The Garden Bench" (which I will also post on here). Research shows it was painted by Marguerite S. Pearson, and an original oil sold at Christies for $5750 as "Woman by a window reading" instead of "The Hope Chest". (http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lot_details.aspx?intObjectID=1416651). However, I cannot find very much info about this print. Any Google searches for the artist turn up works like "At the Melodeon ", or "The Blue Danube" et al but very little on this piece. I am new to buying antiques and storage auctions so I do not know much and would like to learn more (like how to tell between a print and lithograph). I have included pictures , some taken with my loupe over the iphone shutter for a closeup. I would like to know how much it is worth. It appears to be in excellent to mint condition and is very beautiful to look at. It has what appears to be the original frame it came in, which has a few dings, and has the original brown paper over the back. I have not attempted to remove the paper for fear of devaluing it, so I do not know if there are any markings on the back. I am guessing it to be around 15-20 lbs (I do not have a scale), but the size dimensions above are accurate. It is signed in the lower right hand corner by the artist, and has a small copyright at the very bottom center (Morris and Bindien Inc. NY). It also has a piece of paper with "The Hope Chest" stapled to the top of the frame on the back (which is what I assume the title to be) I am not usually a fan of this type of art but it drew me in. I think it is quite beautiful, as I have mentioned, and I am not sure if I want to sell it. Any information you can provide for me would be great, and I would appreciate it. Thanks in advance!
