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Identification

Mary Alice Hammond Original Watercolor Harbor Scene

Photo reference

2 uploaded photos

Overview

Attribution is locked to 'Mary Alice Hammond' based on the clear, integrated signature in the lower right, allowing confidence to exceed the 0. 7 threshold for unmarked items.

Story

Painted by Mary Alice Hammond, likely a mid-to-late 20th-century regional or amateur artist. The inclusion of the St. George's Cross flag suggests a British or Canadian coastal setting. Currently, there is no documented exhibition history or gallery provenance, with the item sourced from a secondary retail environment. Mid-century regional watercolors of maritime and harbor scenes have a steady but low-value decorative market.

Maker / Origin

Mary Alice Hammond

Condition & Value

Based on the visible photos, the watercolor appears stable with no obvious signs of severe foxing, fading, or water damage to the visible image area. The frame and matting appear to be standard mid-century presentation; however, without verso photos, the acidity of the backing materials is unknown.

Full Research

See what it's actually worth.

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

Market Analysis

Mid-century regional watercolors of maritime and harbor scenes have a steady but low-value decorative market. Buyers are typically interior decorators, regional collectors, or casual buyers looking for affordable original art rather than fine art investors. Works by unlisted artists move primarily on secondary marketplaces or local estate auctions, rarely breaking the $200 mark unless they possess exceptional scale or highly specific local historical interest.

Value Drivers

▲ Original watercolor and ink medium, confirmed by fluid washes and overlapping lines, carries a premium over mechanical reproductions.

▲ Clear, legible signature provides attribution, elevating it above anonymous decorative works.

▲ Classic, universally appealing maritime/harbor subject matter ensures steady decorative demand.

Concerns

▼ Missing dimensions — if the piece is a miniature (under 8x10 inches), value would drop toward the $30-$50 floor.

▼ Unverified artist auction record — Mary Alice Hammond lacks a deep secondary market presence, capping the upside.

▼ Unverified verso and mounting — acidic backing could cause hidden paper degradation, requiring costly conservation.

Best Venue

Given the decorative value tier, listing on a broad secondary marketplace like eBay or Etsy is recommended over a traditional auction house. Price optimistically at $125-$150 to allow for negotiation, or list at $75 for a faster sale. Before listing, measure the exact image and frame dimensions, as size heavily influences shipping costs and buyer interest in this price bracket.

Upside Potential

If the exact harbor can be identified as a highly sought-after historical location, or if Mary Alice Hammond is discovered to be a listed artist under a different married/maiden name, the value could push toward the $250-$350 range seen in listed regional maritime works.

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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.

  • Roland NY· 2026-04-11
    Jon CARSMAN & 1 Other, 2 Watercolor Harbor Scenes
    Link could not be verified.
    $100
  • Willow Auction House· 2026-06-02
    Mid-Century Modern Harbor Scene
    Excerpt describes abstract painted shapes, conflicting with the harbor scene title.
    $40