How much do you think this is worth?

[katiek]

I have an old picture “the phonograph” by Pompeo massani. I dont See where I can Post a picture of it. Looks to be original though. Old man and woman listening to a Edison standard. Any help would be appreciated!!!

[lucius1958]

I regret that I cannot give you any "hard and fast" opinion on its value: any item is "worth" whatever a buyer is willing to pay for it. However, I can give you a little background information.

The Pompeo Massani painting was bought by Edison, and used for advertising purposes (substituting an Edison "Home" for the "Puck" type phonograph in the original) in various formats.

If your picture is an original advertising piece from the 1900s, your best bet would be to post it on Ebay, with a modest starting bid, and see where that takes you.

Remember, though, that there are recent reprints of such advertising art floating around: check it under high magnification, to see whether there are regularly spaced "halftone" dots ( a clear sign of a later reprint). Check the backing: is it paper, or a canvas-like material? If the latter has "brush stroke"-like texture under it, it is also most likely a modern reproduction.

I hope you will find this advice helpful.

BillS