Preliminary identification
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Overview
A quintessential Art Deco 'boudoir' print featuring a glamorous woman in a moonlit setting, characterized by the era's obsession with exoticism and soft-focus romance. This large-scale lithograph captures the transition from the Roaring Twenties into the more dramatic, cinematic style of the early 1930s.
Story
In the 1930s, these 'calendar girl' prints brought Hollywood glamour into middle-class homes. Hammell's work often featured this specific arched window, a symbol of the era's architectural optimism and the desire for escape.
Maker / Origin
R. Wilson Hammell was a prolific American illustrator during the Golden Age of Illustration, known for his romanticized portraits of women. His work was widely distributed through mass-market lithography, making him a household name for decorative interior art during the Depression era.
Condition & Value
The print appears well-preserved behind glass, though there is visible reflection in the photo. The frame appears to be a later replacement; an original period 'deco' frame would significantly increase the value. Condition of the paper edges is unknown.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.