estateRUTH.

Identification

Dale Hauck "The Brown Pelican" Signed Artist Copy Print, 1973

Photo reference

5 uploaded photos

Overview

Originality gate confirms this is a print reproduction, not an original painting, as evidenced by the 'artist copy' pencil inscription and the printed signature/date in the image matrix.

Story

Dale Hauck was an American artist active in the mid-to-late 20th century, recognized for his detailed wildlife and bird illustrations. Many of his works, including 'The Brown Pelican', were published as limited edition or 'artist copy' lithographs in the early 1970s, often distributed by entities like Nahan Art Galleries. The secondary market for 1970s wildlife offset lithographs is currently very soft.

Maker / Origin

Dale Hauck

Condition & Value

The print exhibits noticeable foxing (brown spotting) near the printed title, a common degradation for 1970s paper stock exposed to humidity. While the verso retains an 'Alphamat' conservation board sticker indicating professional framing that may have stabilized the piece, the existing foxing permanently caps its value in the collector market. The print appears well-preserved under conservation-grade Alphamat board, which helps prevent acid burn. There are minor foxing spots (small brown dots) visible near the title text, which is common for 50-year-old paper.

Full Research

See what it's actually worth.

Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

Market Analysis

The secondary market for 1970s wildlife offset lithographs is currently very soft. These works were mass-produced during the environmental movement of the era and now trade primarily as inexpensive, ready-to-hang vintage decor rather than fine art investments. Buyers are typically found on platforms like eBay, Etsy, or at local estate sales.

Value Drivers

▲ Hand-signed 'artist copy' designation adds minor collector appeal over standard unsigned open editions.

▲ Professional framing with Alphamat conservation board provides ready-to-hang decorative utility.

▲ Vintage 1970s wildlife aesthetic appeals to specific retro-decor buyers.

Concerns

▼ Visible foxing (brown spotting) on the paper significantly limits collector value and caps the asking price.

▼ Mass-produced 1970s offset lithographs generally suffer from very low secondary market demand.

▼ Unverified exact dimensions — large formats are costly to ship, which can eat into net margins for low-value art.

Best Venue

List on a broad online marketplace like eBay or Etsy, targeting the vintage decor or wildlife art niche. Price competitively around $45-$50 to account for the frame's utility, but be prepared to accept offers in the $20-$30 range given the visible foxing. Do not attempt professional paper conservation, as the cost would far exceed the print's value.

Upside Potential

If a local buyer can be found to eliminate shipping costs, the ready-to-hang utility of the frame could push the final sale price toward the $60 high-end of the retail decor market.

▾

Also found — market-range context

Related comps outside the valuation band· 6 comps

Surfaced during research but not used to anchor the valuation — wrong form, species, era, or no published price. Shown so the market range around this item is visible.

  • eBay
    DALE HAUCK, Original Ink Drawing on Paper, Wood Ibis, Signed 1973
    Original ink drawing, not a print.
    $3,500
  • Crescent City Auction Gallery· 2024-03-08
    Dale Hauck (American/Louisiana, b. 1944), "Alligator," watercolor on paper
    Original watercolor painting of an alligator, not a pelican print.
    $325
  • Crescent City Auction Gallery· 2014-07-27
    Dale Hauck (Louisiana), "Fish," 2003, hand colored woodblock print
    Different subject (fish) and different print medium (woodblock).
    $214
  • Crescent City Auction Gallery· 2014-07-27
    Dale Hauck (Louisiana), "Tree Frog," 20th c., pen and ink
    Original pen and ink drawing of a tree frog, not a print.
    $122
  • historicimages-store
    1974 Press Photo Artist Dale Hauck with his watercolor of the 'Brown Pelican.'
    Press photo of the artist, not the artwork itself.
    $25
  • LiveAuctioneers
    DALE HAUCK Offset Lithograph "The Brown Pelican"
    Link could not be verified.
    $20