Framed Portrait print of Benjamin Franklin by engraver Jacques Reich 1902 For Sale

Framed Portrait print of Benjamin Franklin by engraver Jacques Reich 1902
Frame 16,5\"x 18,5\"
That is a beautifully preserved piece of American history. What you have here is a finely detailed portrait print of Benjamin Franklin, created by the prominent American etcher and engraver Jacques Reich.
The Portrait: This depicts Benjamin Franklin wearing his famous fur hat (or marten fur cap) and spectacles. He wore this specific style during his diplomatic mission to France in the late 1770s. The look became a sensation in Paris, playing into the French romanticized ideal of Americans as rustic, wise, and unpretentious philosophers of the New World.
The Artist: At the bottom right of the print margin, you can see the distinctive pencil signature of Jacques Reich (1852–1923). Reich was a highly accomplished, Hungarian-born American artist famous for his masterful etched portraits of historic American figures, including U.S. presidents, authors, and founding fathers.Markings on the PrintIf you look closely at the bottom edge of the image itself, there are a couple of key inscriptions:
Left Side: A faint etched signature that looks like \"Jacques Reich aq. fort.\" (abbreviation for aqua forti, indicating he etched this plate himself).
Right Side: A tiny copyright notice that reads \"Copyright by Jacques Reich 1902\".
Historical Value & ContextJacques Reich\'s prints were highly regarded for their rich tonal quality and fidelity to original historical paintings. Many of his copperplate etchings were printed in limited editions on fine paper (such as Japan vellum).
Because this example features a hand-signed pencil signature by Reich in the margin, it indicates it is a lifetime artist\'s proof or an official impression from his limited run, rather than a mass-reproduced book plate or later photogravure.