This 1920s embossed leatherette portrait frame holds the original 1924 graduation photograph identified by the family's handwritten note as Nina Priest McClintock's Bowen High School graduation picture.
The dark brown frame has a richly embossed Gothic and heraldic design with shields, eagles, floral motifs, and raised decorative borders. It works especially well for someone who appreciates early twentieth century portrait photography and display pieces that still carry part of their family history.
Details
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Item: Framed original graduation portrait with family identification note
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Item Type: Easel back and wall hanging portrait frame
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Era: Circa 1920s. The accompanying family note dates the photograph to 1924.
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Materials: Embossed leatherette over a rigid board base, glass, paper photograph, and metal hanging hardware
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Color: Dark brown with aged bronze and gold tone highlights
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Maker and Mark: No visible maker's mark
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Pattern or Model: No confirmed pattern or model. Embossed design includes heraldic shields, eagles, floral motifs, and geometric ornament.
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Style: Gothic and Arts and Crafts influenced early twentieth century portrait frame
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Dimensions: Approximately 10 1/2 inches by 8 inches. Actual product weight is 1 pound 3 ounces.
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Special Features: Original photograph remains in the frame. The family's handwritten identification note is included. Rear hanging hardware remains present. Built in easel back is damaged.
Condition Grade: Fair
Positives
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Graded Fair: The frame, glass, photograph, decorative front, and wall hanging hardware remain together, but the damaged easel limits tabletop display.
- The elaborate embossed design remains clear, with the shields, eagles, flowers, and borders still easy to see.
- The original portrait remains inside the frame rather than having been separated from it.
- The handwritten family note identifying the photograph and its 1924 graduation connection has been kept with the piece.
- The wall hanging hardware is still present on the back.
Issues / Wear
- The built in easel support on the back is broken and is not dependable for freestanding display. The frame can still be hung on a wall, or the easel could be repaired.
- There is visible surface wear, rubbing, and finish loss on the raised decoration and around the edges of the frame.
- A small area of the leatherette surface near the inner right edge shows noticeable loss and lifting.
- The glass and photograph show age related surface dust, spotting, and haze visible in the photos.
- The rear covering shows age, discoloration, rubbing, and wear around the easel and edges.
Condition Grade Key
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Near Fine: Almost perfect. Very minor signs of age only.
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Very Good: Shows light use. Sound and attractive with minor flaws.
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Good: Complete and intact. Noticeable wear consistent with age and use.
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Fair: Shows significant wear. Readable or usable but clearly used.
Collector's Notes
Decorative portrait frames like this gave formal school and family photographs a permanent place in the home during the early twentieth century.
This piece suits a collector of 1920s photography, early portrait frames, graduation memorabilia, or decorative paper and photographic history.
What sets this example apart is that the portrait, frame, and handwritten family identification remained together instead of being separated over time.
The broken easel is disappointing, but the richly embossed front and preserved 1924 portrait still give the piece a strong sense of age and history.
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Disclaimer
All items are vintage and may show signs of age, wear, or use consistent with their history. Photos show the exact condition of each piece, please review them carefully, as they are part of the description.
I do my best to capture colors accurately, but your monitor or device screen may display colors slightly differently from the actual item.
Please Note:
These pieces come from estate collections and have been surface cleaned. You may wish to perform additional cleaning depending on your preference.
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