Antique Age of Innocence Lithograph from a Thistle Print

Item:
Antique lithographic print titled “Age of Innocence” by Sir Joshua Reynolds
Publisher: F.A. Owen Publishing Company, Dansville, N.Y.
Copyright Holder: Detroit Photographic Company
Format: Thistle Print (a style of mass-market lithographic reproduction)
Medium: Lithograph on paper
Dimensions: Approx. 12.5" wide x 9.75" high
Condition:

• The central image is in very good condition with no significant discoloration or foxing.
• The outer paper mount has visible wear, with multiple tears, edge losses, and corner damage, typical for prints stored without a frame or backing over many decades.
• No frame or protective glass was observed.

History:
This piece is a reproduction of Sir Joshua Reynolds’ 18th-century painting “Age of Innocence,” a sentimental portrait believed to have been painted circa 1785. The subject’s identity is unknown, though it has become one of Reynolds’ most beloved works. The print was published by the F.A. Owen Publishing Company, which was known for educational and affordable art reproductions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The "Thistle Print" reference likely denotes a particular series or quality of print produced under this label, often distributed to schools and homes for decor.

You mentioned the item was passed down to you from your grandmother, who passed in 1994 at age 98, suggesting the print could date from the early 1900s or earlier. F.A. Owen Publishing was active from the late 1800s through the early 20th century, placing your print’s likely production between 1890 and 1925.

Estimated Value (as of 2025):

• Retail (unframed, in current condition): $20–$40
• If professionally restored and framed: $75–$125
• As a collectible with provenance (from a known family estate): Could fetch higher in niche vintage markets or as part of a larger estate collection.

Recommendation:
This piece has historical and decorative value and represents early 20th-century American domestic art consumption. Though not rare or of high monetary value, it holds sentimental worth and can be beautifully preserved with conservation framing. If you’re interested in preserving it for future generations, a local paper conservator could reinforce or remount it.

Thank you so much.