Montaut & Gamy Lithographs 

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LMG ~ Gallery L'Automobile 

"Coupe Vanderbilt 1904"

Small image 13 5/8" x 8 1/4"
The image shown is for illustration purposes only, please do not rely upon this image to make your purchasing decision. Each piece that we have for sale is individually described and priced, and you should give careful consideration to those descriptions prior to making your purchase. If you require additional information or an electronic image of the piece that you are considering, please call or email us. We would also suggest that you read the additional information at the bottom of this page.
  • One of the smaller Montaut images from "Ten Ans de Courses" identified to the lower RH corner as No. 20. This piece has been dry mounted on illustration board (?) and cropped to 12 5/8" x 7 7/8". This is a fairly normal part of the framing process for many of these smaller images. The background is exceptionally bright but the colors appear faded when compared to other copies that we have had of this image. All of this would lead us to suspect that this piece has been displayed (properly protected from sunlight) for most of its life and time has just taken its toll! However, this is an exceptionally desirable and sought after image that will frame and display nicely for another 100 years! There is no staining  or acid burns, and there is very light evidence of previous framing. There is no damage and no repairs. The background is bright but the colors are slightly muted. Circa 1907, price is $195.00 plus S&H. 

CONDITION AND PRICE RANGES

All of these small images were originally bound into a book titled “Ten Ans de Courses” and it is fairly obvious that the primary purpose in removing the images from their binding was to frame or display them.

The normal condition that previously framed pieces are found in will almost always include a brownish toning to the paper, they may have been cropped, the colors will likely be muted and there may be mat burns, toning and staining from previous acidic framing materials. Approximate pricing in this condition will be in the $75.00 to $175.00 range depending upon desirability of the image and the rarity of the piece.

However, the opportunity to find these smaller images in excellent condition is much better than finding their larger counterparts. The fact that they were originally bound into a book helped slow the deterioration process. The book can still be found but the images are normally removed and sold individually. Approximate pricing for recently removed images will be in the $150.00 to $350.00 range depending upon desirability of the image and the rarity of the piece.

CAUSE AND EXPLANATION OF “NORMAL” CONDITION

Consideration must be given to the fact that these pieces were produced at the turn of the century. The paper is of a type that is similar to newsprint and even if it has remained in its original book format it will ultimately take on a brownish tint. In addition many were originally framed using acidic matting and backer boards, causing staining and premature darkening of the paper.

The majority of these pieces were displayed without regard to their longevity. They were hung in locations that subjected them to direct sunlight and in later years they were exposed to fluorescent lighting. After almost 100 years in these harsh environments the colors have faded and in some extreme cases they have been totally bleached out.

Many of these smaller images have been cropped as removal from the binding often resulted in a ragged edge to the LH side. In addition, it is not unusual to find pieces that have been cropped to remove edge damage or to fit into an inexpensive “off-the-shelf” frame. Also, many of them have suffered insect or damp damage and even “self-inflicted” damage due to the high level of acidity in the original paper.