Identification
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Overview
A beautifully framed vintage commercial exhibition poster featuring 'Maui Daybreak' by renowned marine artist Robert Lyn Nelson. The piece showcases Nelson's signature 'two worlds' style, depicting a split-screen view of Lahaina's coastline above and a vibrant underwater sanctuary of humpback whales and dolphins below. The valuation is anchored by an exact match for a framed 'Maui Daybreak' print which hammered at $175 at auction.
Story
Robert Lyn Nelson is a prominent American marine artist widely credited with pioneering the 'two worlds' (above and below the waterline) style of painting in the late 1970s. His work became iconic in Hawaii, particularly in Maui, during the 1980s environmental movement. 'Maui Daybreak' is a classic example of his signature style, widely reproduced as exhibition posters to meet high tourist and collector demand during that era.
Maker / Origin
Unattributed
Condition & Value
Evaluated as a framed vintage poster, the primary value rests on the visual condition of the print and the frame. Assuming standard estate condition, the print should be free of severe UV fading, water damage, or foxing.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Robert Lyn Nelson's commercial prints and exhibition posters from the 1980s and 1990s have a stable but modest secondary market. Buyers are typically decorators, marine life enthusiasts, or collectors of vintage coastal decor. While his original paintings command higher prices, mass-produced exhibition posters trade as accessible decorative art, with framed pieces moving steadily in the $100-$250 range.
▲ Exact title match ('Maui Daybreak') with established auction history anchors the $175 mid-point.
▲ Classic 'two worlds' marine subject matter, which remains the artist's most recognizable and sought-after style.
▲ Ready-to-hang framed presentation adds immediate decorative appeal and saves the buyer custom framing costs.
▼ Unverified signature status — if the piece lacks a hand-signed autograph, it trades at the lower end of the poster market (±20%).
▼ Potential UV fading — vintage 1980s posters are prone to blue/green color loss; significant fading would discount the piece.
▼ High shipping costs for large framed art often suppress online hammer prices, favoring local pickup.
Best Venue
This is a solid decorative piece suitable for a local estate sale or online marketplace listing (e. g., eBay, Facebook Marketplace). Price at $200-$225 for an optimistic retail listing, or $150 for a faster local sale to avoid the friction of shipping a large framed item. Ensure the glass is clean and highlight any visible artist signature in the listing photos.
Upside Potential
If the piece features an authentic, hand-signed autograph by Robert Lyn Nelson (rather than just a plate signature) or includes an original remarque, the value could push toward the $250-$300 range.