Mountain Campfire with Waterfall (Calendar Print)
Mass-produced commercial lithographic print, functional calendar ephemera • Unknown commercial illustrator; manner of Maxfield Parrish or R. Atkinson Fox
Style & Movement
American Golden Age of Illustration with Art Deco border elements
Medium & Technique
Color lithography or offset printing on heavy paper/cardstock
Creation Period
Circa 1920-1940 (Jazz Age/Art Deco era)
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 10 x 14 inches, vertical portrait format
Subject Description
A romanticized wilderness landscape featuring a moonlit sky, glowing sun-tipped mountains, a cascading waterfall, and a small campsite with a fire and tent tucked into the woods. The composition uses dramatic lighting to evoke a sense of peaceful adventure and escapes.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; preserved in a plastic sleeve but showing signs of age-related wear
Estimated Market Value
$15 - $45 USD
Auction Estimate
$10 - $30 USD
Provenance History
Likely a promotional item distributed by a local business; typically found in domestic estate sales or ephemera collections
Art Historical Significance
Represents the democratization of art through mass printing in the early 20th century, specifically the popularity of nature-themed 'calendar art' used to decorate middle-class American homes.
Notable Features
Features a distinct Art Deco geometric border in blue and gold tones and a partially preserved calendar pad at the bottom, which is a key identifying feature of vintage advertising ephemera.
Condition Issues
Slight yellowing of the paper, minor creases visible in the plastic wrap, potentially brittle edges, and partial loss/detachment of the lower calendar date pad.
Conservation Recommendations
Store in an acid-free archival folder, keep away from direct sunlight to prevent further fading of the ink, and maintain a humidity-controlled environment.