3: A RARE 1852 LITHOGRAPH AFTER GEORGE CALEB BINGHAM

George Caleb Bingham (1811-1879)
IN A QUANDARY. MISSISSIPPI RAFTMEN PLAYING CARDS (1852)
The scarce middle 19th century lithographic image after the painting by Missouri artist George Caleb Bingham, considered by most to be America's premier genre painter, The composition depicts card players sharing a bench on the deck of a raft strewn with wood shavings. One of the players has laid down an ace and the other is considering his options. Also on deck are bundles of split wood shakes and an ovoid stoneware jug, most likely not for water.

The margins have been trimmed. Portions of the bottom margin are pasted verso and read 'Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1852 by W. Schaus in the clerk's Office of the district Court of the United States for the Southern district of New-York.' another piece of the lower margin reads 'To Major James L. Rollins of Missouri, this print is Respectfully Dedicated by his most Obedient Servants, Goupil & Co. a third piece includes a section of the title and blind embossed seal of GOUPIL & Co.
The original print is trimmed to 14.75 x 18.75. The print is mounted to acid free backing that measures 16.25 x 20 inches. The frame measures 25.25 x 28.75 inches.
The print is trimmed to 14.75 x 18.75 inches and laid to mulberry paper. very good condition, noting a few short edge tears outside the image along the top edge, no other tears, repairs, stain or issues, the lower margin information is cut and some pieces are present on a separate sheet, the margins are trimmed to the outermost border approximately one inch from the image edge.
Provenance: The Paul Vardeman Collection.
$3,000 - $5,000