What is a Victorian lithograph print?

A Victorian lithograph is a print produced during the 19th century using a planographic printing technique on stone or zinc plates. These artworks frequently depicted literary figures, historical scenes, or portraits, and were often finished with hand colouring or multi-tone printing.

What materials were used in 19th-century framed lithographs?

Nineteenth-century lithographs were printed onto heavy cotton rag paper, often hand-tinted with watercolours or coloured inks. Frames were typically crafted from timber with moulded gesso or gilding, sealed behind glass with cardboard mounting.

How can authentic antique lithographs be identified?

Authentic Victorian lithographs feature soft tonal gradients without the uniform dot matrix seen in modern offset printing. They often exhibit age-related characteristics such as foxing or paper toning, alongside original plate impression lines or publisher inscriptions.

How can Victorian prints be styled in modern interior settings?

Victorian prints can be integrated into modern spaces by grouping them into gallery wall displays or positioning them individually on narrow wall spaces. Set against contemporary wall paint colours, classical framed pictures provide contrast and character.

How should an antique framed print be preserved?

To preserve an antique print, display it away from direct sunlight and areas of high humidity to reduce fading and damp damage. Mounting the artwork behind UV-protective glass with acid-free matting helps prevent discolouration over time.

for sale €1,346 $1,461

£1,150

Yolanda Gray Antiques

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Victorian Art Print

Nineteenth Century Wall Art

Id #SA1065709

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Antique English Victorian Lithograph Engraved Watercolour Painting Picture of Dolly Varden by William Powell Frith (Circa 1887)

19th century

For Sale by Yolanda Gray Antiques

Description

Summary:

• Item: William Powell Frith Watercolour

• Engraver: Charles Edward Wagstaff (1808 - 1850)

• Painter: William Powell Frith (1819 – 1909)

• Medium: Hand Tinted Lithograph

• Circa: 1870

• Period: Victorian

• Provenance: London, UK

• Subject: Dolly Varden

• Woodland scene

• Extremely well painted

• Natural colours

• Pleasing subject

• Original frame

• Signed William Powell Frith

• Good original condition

• Frame Height = 70cm / 27½” / 2ft 3½”

• Frame Width = 54cm / 21¼” / 1ft 9¼”

• Free delivery to England, Wales & southern Scotland*

• 14-day free UK returns policy

This is a fine quality antique English Victorian hand-painted lithograph of Dolly Varden in a woodland scene. Originally engraved by Charles Edward Wagstaff and then believed to be hand-tinted by William Powell Frith in watercolours, circa 1887, in excellent condition.

Dolly Varden, a mythical character, first appeared in the novel Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens’s, who was also a friend of William Powell Frith. Edward Frith-Powell painted Dolly Varden in many poses; her style of dress became famous throughout England and Europe with young working-class / middle-class girls, who emulated this fashion in the late Victorian period. This particular picture was of a pose of a young girl in a wood. The painting shows good rich colours and the stye of the Victorian hat and dresses of the day.

The lithograph was originally engraved by Charles Edward Wagstaff, who was a line, mezzotint and mixed-method engraver, specialising in portraits and historical and genre subjects (born 1808 and died 1850). A limited number of lithographs would have been printed, for painting purposes.

It is believed this lithograph was then hand-watercolour tinted by Edward Frith-Powell in 1887. It was purchased by John Dexter on the 25th May 1887 on Derby Day, which was presumably the Derby Festival at Epsom, where Edward Frith-Powell was selling them. This is written and signed in the bottom left-hand corner of the picture. It was a popular tradition for famous artists to sell their work at big events social or sports event (a bit similar to book signings today).

Condition Report:

The picture is in good original condition - the blue colours are strong. The William Powell Frith watercolour is signed “Frith” in the bottom left-hand corner. The picture sits in its original ebony and gilt frame. The frame has been cleaned. Nominal old age marks to the leading edges of the gilt frame, but nothing significant, considering the age of the item. A later blue mount has been placed around the picture. This portrait incorporates a new string and is ready to hang.

Price:

The price for this item is £1,150 including free delivery to England, Wales & Southern Scotland* and free 14-day returns.

Free UK Delivery*:

We offer free delivery to mainland England, Wales, and Southern Scotland (anywhere south of Stirling).

International Buyers:

If you live outside the UK and you would like to purchase this item, please contact us before purchasing it, so that we can obtain an accurate shipping quote and delivery lead-time.

About the Seller:

This item is being sold by Yola Gray Antiques who is an accredited member of LAPADA (the UK’s largest Trade Association of Professional Art and Antique Dealers) and CINOA.

Ref. 103322

Physical Dimensions

Height

70cm (27.56")

Width

54cm (21.26")

Depth

4cm (1.57")

Declaration

Yolanda Gray Antiques has dated this Victorian Framed Lithograph to the 1880s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1065709

Dealers Internal Reference

103322

Dealers Notes

Please contact us on 01829 458 070 or 07960 738 212 to arrange a viewing. Alternatively, please email: info@yolagray.com

Description

Summary:

• Item: William Powell Frith Watercolour

• Engraver: Charles Edward Wagstaff (1808 - 1850)

• Painter: William Powell Frith (1819 – 1909)

• Medium: Hand Tinted Lithograph

• Circa: 1870

• Period: Victorian

fig 1. A portrait-oriented framed Victorian lithograph in a dark wood beaded frame with a blue mount, illustrating a female figure in a blue shawl set within a woodland backdrop. — fig 1. Antique English Victorian Lithograph Engraved Watercolour Painting Picture of Dolly Varden by William Powell Frith (Circa 1887)

• Provenance: London, UK

• Subject: Dolly Varden

• Woodland scene

• Extremely well painted

• Natural colours

• Pleasing subject

• Original frame

• Signed William Powell Frith

• Good original condition

• Frame Height = 70cm / 27½” / 2ft 3½”

fig 2. A portrait-oriented framed Victorian lithograph in a dark wood beaded frame with a blue mount, illustrating a female figure in a blue shawl set within a woodland backdrop. — fig 2. Antique English Victorian Lithograph Engraved Watercolour Painting Picture of Dolly Varden by William Powell Frith (Circa 1887)

• Frame Width = 54cm / 21¼” / 1ft 9¼”

• Free delivery to England, Wales & southern Scotland*

• 14-day free UK returns policy

“

This is a fine quality antique English Victorian hand-painted lithograph of Dolly Varden in a woodland scene.

Yolanda Gray Antiques

Originally engraved by Charles Edward Wagstaff and then believed to be hand-tinted by William Powell Frith in watercolours, circa 1887, in excellent condition.

fig 3. A portrait-oriented framed Victorian lithograph in a dark wood beaded frame with a blue mount, illustrating a female figure in a blue shawl set within a woodland backdrop. — fig 3. Antique English Victorian Lithograph Engraved Watercolour Painting Picture of Dolly Varden by William Powell Frith (Circa 1887)

Dolly Varden, a mythical character, first appeared in the novel Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens’s, who was also a friend of William Powell Frith. Edward Frith-Powell painted Dolly Varden in many poses; her style of dress became famous throughout England and Europe with young working-class / middle-class girls, who emulated this fashion in the late Victorian period. This particular picture was of a pose of a young girl in a wood. The painting shows good rich colours and the stye of the Victorian hat and dresses of the day.

fig 4. A portrait-oriented framed Victorian lithograph in a dark wood beaded frame with a blue mount, illustrating a female figure in a blue shawl set within a woodland backdrop. — fig 4. Antique English Victorian Lithograph Engraved Watercolour Painting Picture of Dolly Varden by William Powell Frith (Circa 1887)

The lithograph was originally engraved by Charles Edward Wagstaff, who was a line, mezzotint and mixed-method engraver, specialising in portraits and historical and genre subjects (born 1808 and died 1850). A limited number of lithographs would have been printed, for painting purposes.

fig 5. A portrait-oriented framed Victorian lithograph in a dark wood beaded frame with a blue mount, illustrating a female figure in a blue shawl set within a woodland backdrop. — fig 5. Antique English Victorian Lithograph Engraved Watercolour Painting Picture of Dolly Varden by William Powell Frith (Circa 1887)

It is believed this lithograph was then hand-watercolour tinted by Edward Frith-Powell in 1887. It was purchased by John Dexter on the 25th May 1887 on Derby Day, which was presumably the Derby Festival at Epsom, where Edward Frith-Powell was selling them. This is written and signed in the bottom left-hand corner of the picture. It was a popular tradition for famous artists to sell their work at big events social or sports event (a bit similar to book signings today).

fig 6. A portrait-oriented framed Victorian lithograph in a dark wood beaded frame with a blue mount, illustrating a female figure in a blue shawl set within a woodland backdrop. — fig 6. Antique English Victorian Lithograph Engraved Watercolour Painting Picture of Dolly Varden by William Powell Frith (Circa 1887)

Condition Report:

The picture is in good original condition - the blue colours are strong. The William Powell Frith watercolour is signed “Frith” in the bottom left-hand corner. The picture sits in its original ebony and gilt frame. The frame has been cleaned. Nominal old age marks to the leading edges of the gilt frame, but nothing significant, considering the age of the item. A later blue mount has been placed around the picture. This portrait incorporates a new string and is ready to hang.

fig 7. A portrait-oriented framed Victorian lithograph in a dark wood beaded frame with a blue mount, illustrating a female figure in a blue shawl set within a woodland backdrop. — fig 7. Antique English Victorian Lithograph Engraved Watercolour Painting Picture of Dolly Varden by William Powell Frith (Circa 1887)

Price:

The price for this item is £1,150 including free delivery to England, Wales & Southern Scotland* and free 14-day returns.

Free UK Delivery*:

We offer free delivery to mainland England, Wales, and Southern Scotland (anywhere south of Stirling).

fig 8. A portrait-oriented framed Victorian lithograph in a dark wood beaded frame with a blue mount, illustrating a female figure in a blue shawl set within a woodland backdrop. — fig 8. Antique English Victorian Lithograph Engraved Watercolour Painting Picture of Dolly Varden by William Powell Frith (Circa 1887)

International Buyers:

If you live outside the UK and you would like to purchase this item, please contact us before purchasing it, so that we can obtain an accurate shipping quote and delivery lead-time.

fig 9. A portrait-oriented framed Victorian lithograph in a dark wood beaded frame with a blue mount, illustrating a female figure in a blue shawl set within a woodland backdrop. — fig 9. Antique English Victorian Lithograph Engraved Watercolour Painting Picture of Dolly Varden by William Powell Frith (Circa 1887)

About the Seller:

This item is being sold by Yola Gray Antiques who is an accredited member of LAPADA (the UK’s largest Trade Association of Professional Art and Antique Dealers) and CINOA.

Ref. 103322