Hubert Morley Etching, 'The Canal', c. 1930

The valuation of 'The Canal' is heavily informed by the macroeconomic lifecycle of the Etching Revival market. During the 1920s and 30s, original etchings were highly sought after, but the market for mid-tier black-and-white graphic art collapsed post-WWII and has remained relatively soft. While Morley’s color WPA/WWII lithographic posters enjoy strong crossover appeal with militaria and historical collectors (evidenced by Swann Auction Galleries selling a 'Women's Land Army' poster for $625 in 2024), his traditional etchings are primarily collected by niche regionalists. Comparable sales dictate a low-to-moderate fair market value for Morley's single print works. Historical auction records for single signed etchings like 'A Question of Price' and 'Coquette' place hammer prices securely in the $90 to $175 range. However, more recent data indicates market fatigue; an etching titled 'Open Air Concert' failed to sell against a $100-$200 estimate in 2023, and a bulk lot of ten Morley etchings liquidated for just $60 in 2025. Given this landscape, an individual landscape or waterway etching by Morley will realistically hammer between $50 and $150, heavily dependent on condition, framing, and regional bidding interest.