WP Snyder 1889 Print?

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Posted By: Jamie

While combing the local antique malls, I found something very unusual- it was a colored print by WP Snyder showing a group of spectators in Victorian garb watching a collegiate game and dated 1889. I was able to find a copy of the print here:



Here's the weird part and I'm hoping someone can help- it looked to be printed on plastic like those old Kellog's cards from the 70's but much thicker and in a frame. Anyone have any idea on what/how/why this was produced like this?

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Posted By: davidcycleback

The original was on newspaper-like stock and was black and white (though could later be hand colored if someone wished). I haven't seen your particular item before, but it would seem to be a later reprint. Synthentic plastics is a Post 19th century thing.

The originals of this print are not expensive (no King Kelly, no Billy Sunday), so it would seem the financial value of your find would be directly based on how nice you think would look on your wall.

A good test when you come actross 'Victorian era' sport or non-sport print or poster like this in an antique store or garage sale is to examine the colored areas with a strong magnifying glass. If the colors are made up of a fine multi-color pattern of dots like on a modern magazine color picture or trading card, it's almost certain to be a modern reprint.

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Posted By: davidcycleback

As noted, the Harper's Woodcuts were originally black and white though were sometimes later hand colored.

The is a rule of thumb for identifying Harper's Woodcut hand colored in modern times (for example, so as to consign to a big auction house). If the colors are subtle and and light and pastel, the rule of thumb is the coloring is modern ... We modern folk have quaint ideas about Victorian taste, but in Victorian times the favored colors for something would have been bright and gaudy and loud.

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Posted By: Jamie

david,
thanks for the great information! it was very informative and helpful. the coloring was definitely pastel and the material was most certainly plastic. i was looking at it as something nice to hang on the wall but the price was certainly more suitable for an authentic victorian piece.
jamie