Birger Sandzen "Pines By The Lake"

Thank you for sharing the detailed images and history of this piece. Based on your description and the visual evidence, here's a comprehensive appraisal of your Birger Sandzén print titled "Pines by the Lake":

Details

Title: Pines by the Lake
Artist: Sven Birger Sandzén (1871–1954)
Medium: Woodcut (or linocut) block print
Signature: Hand-signed in pencil, lower left
Title: Hand-titled in pencil, lower right
Estimated Date of Production: Circa 1920s–1930s
Size of Artwork: Approx. 8" x 6" (sight)
Framing Info: Original or early 20th-century frame by Orie J. Abel, McPherson, Kansas
Condition: Fair to good, with moderate mat toning and slight fading due to age
Estimated Current Market Value (unsigned/unsigned proof): $400–$900 USD
Estimated Market Value (if confirmed original signed edition): $1,000–$2,500+ USD
Professional Appraisal Recommended: Yes, especially to confirm edition, provenance, and market value

Background on the Artist:

Birger Sandzén was a Swedish-American painter, printmaker, and art educator known for his bold, colorful landscapes and powerful block prints. He lived in Lindsborg, Kansas for much of his life and taught at Bethany College. His work is highly collectible, especially his hand-pulled prints and vibrant oil paintings of the American West.

Analysis of Your Print:

1. Authenticity Indicators:

• The work is hand-signed and titled in pencil, which is consistent with Sandzén’s practice for original prints.
• The stylistic approach (contour-cut woodblock look, abstracted lines) matches known Sandzén woodcuts.
• The Orie J. Abel framer label from McPherson, KS is a strong regional connection — McPherson is very close to Lindsborg, further supporting authenticity.

2. Edition Note:

• Sandzén often did limited runs of his prints, sometimes without numbering. Lack of edition number doesn’t rule out authenticity.
• If this is a hand-pulled print on appropriate paper (as it appears to be), it may be from one of his original editions.

3. Condition Notes:

• Some mat toning (browning around the edges) is visible, typical of acidic backing boards from early-mid 20th century.
• No apparent water damage or foxing, which is a plus.
• Frame appears to be period-correct but could benefit from archival reframing.

Recommendations:

Next Steps:

• Have the piece evaluated by a qualified fine art appraiser or the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery in Lindsborg, KS.
• Consider gently removing it from the frame (by a professional conservator) to examine the paper, plate marks, and back for further identifying features.
• If you're keeping it, consider archival reframing with acid-free matting and UV-protective glass.