Overview
The piece is definitively identified as an etching by the handwritten Polish word 'akwaforta' and the visible plate mark. It is titled 'Żuraw', accurately depicting the famous medieval port crane in Gdańsk.
Identification
Limited Edition Etching 'Żuraw' (Gdańsk Crane), Signed and Dated 2012
Photo reference
4 uploaded photos
Story
Created in 2012, this piece depicts Europe's oldest surviving medieval port crane, the 'Żuraw', located in Gdańsk, Poland. The work is a limited edition (41/50), indicating it was produced by a professional or semi-professional printmaker, though the specific studio or artist remains unidentified due to the illegible signature. The secondary market for contemporary Polish etchings is heavily localized, with strong demand for iconic architectural subjects like the Gdańsk Crane among domestic collectors, expatriates, and tourists.
Maker / Origin
Unattributed
Condition & Value
Based on the visible evidence, the print appears to be in good condition with rich, deep sepia ink and atmospheric plate tone intact. The overall value assumes the paper is free from hidden issues common to framed works, such as acid burn from non-archival mats, foxing, or moisture damage.
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 contemporary Polish etchings is heavily localized, with strong demand for iconic architectural subjects like the Gdańsk Crane among domestic collectors, expatriates, and tourists. While retail galleries can command significant premiums for these works, secondary market auction clear rates are much more modest, particularly when the artist is unidentified and the piece trades primarily on its decorative appeal.
Value Drivers
▲ Iconic subject matter (Gdańsk Crane) carries strong regional and tourist appeal.
▲ Confirmed limited edition (41/50) implies exclusivity and professional printmaking.
▲ Original intaglio printmaking technique (etching/akwaforta) commands a premium over standard mechanical reproductions.
Concerns
▼ Unidentified artist severely caps the secondary market value to its decorative baseline.
▼ Unverified dimensions — if the print is a miniature, the value would skew toward the lower end of the range.
▼ Unverified condition outside the frame — hidden mat burn or adhesive damage could discount value.
Best Venue
List on a secondary marketplace with international reach (such as eBay) or a regional Polish platform (like Allegro), heavily keywording 'Gdańsk', 'Żuraw', and 'Akwaforta'. Prior to listing, it is highly recommended to inspect the back of the frame for gallery labels or artist biographies, as identifying the maker is the most direct path to increasing the asking price.
Upside Potential
If the signature can be conclusively deciphered and attributed to a recognized contemporary Polish printmaker with an established auction record, the piece could realize $200-$300+ at a regional fine art auction.
▾Also found — market-range context
Related comps outside the valuation band· 2 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.
Also found — market-range context
Related comps outside the valuation band· 2 comps
- Sopocki Dom AukcyjnyFriedrich Görtitz | Żuraw GdańskiLink could not be verified.$550
- Artinfo.plARTYSTA nieokreślony, XX w. Żuraw w GdańskuLink could not be verified.$135