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TITLE:
Signed 1934 Depression Era US Currency & Stamp Collage Folk Art Landscape Frances Coutier
DESCRIPTION:
An extraordinary, museum-grade example of American Folk Art meticulously dated and inscribed to the height of the Great Depression: August 18, 1934. Hand-signed and fully inscribed on the reverse backing board, this mixed-media primitive country landscape is masterfully handcrafted using an intricate mosaic collage technique.
The artist utilized highly creative design choices—shaping the curves of the horse\'s muscles from the natural geometric arcs of paper money, using stamp margins to build a split-rail fence, and turning historical document stamps into rustic roofs. This remarkable cross-collectible piece seamlessly bridges the worlds of high-end outsider folk art, philatelic stamp history, and numismatic currency antiquities. It remains housed in its original, vintage painted dark green wooden frame with the original antique mounting nails intact.
COMPREHENSIVE MATERIAL & ELEMENT INVENTORY:
The following historical paper assets were meticulously cut and utilized to create specific elements of this artwork:
1. UNITED STATES PAPER CURRENCY / BANKNOTES:
- Horse\'s Shoulder & Mane: Crisp, arched intaglio lettering reading \"ED STATE\" cut from the decorative security border of an old U.S. banknote face.
- Foreground Hill / Left Lawn: Large section from the back of a vintage U.S. One Dollar Bill, displaying the ornate \"ONE\" text graphics and the numeric \"1\" inside its corner geometric shield.
- Background Trees (Right): Features the crisp \"FRANKLIN\" portrait nameplate cut from the bottom border of a high-denomination $100 bill.
- Background Trees (Left) & Foliage: Deep green intaglio treasury scrollwork and security lathe-work harvested from U.S. Federal Reserve Bank Notes, featuring prominent background text fragments reading \"AD\", \"GE\", \"TEN\", and \"FRA\".
- Vertical Fence Post & Pathways: Dark, heavily inked borders containing microline framework and serial number margins from U.S. currency notes.
2. VINTAGE POSTAGE & REVENUE STAMPS:
- Horse\'s Flank & Hindquarters: Olive-brown 1925 1/2¢ Nathan Hale U.S. Postage Stamp (Scott #551), displaying a highly collectible, authentic \"SPRINGFIELD OHIO\" local precancel text overprint.
- Main Church Building: Authentic vintage 2¢ Carmine George Washington Postage Stamp, displaying the arched word \"POSTAGE\" and the numeric denomination \"2\".
- Church Steeple & Spire: Intricately fashioned red-and-white patterned frame margins cut from the carmine Washington stamp series.
- Rider\'s Attire: Sliced from a red 2¢ Washington stamp or related postal document showing partial \"WASH\" lettering.
- Primary Cabin Roof (Center): Meticulously crafted from a vintage pinkish-red U.S. postage stamp or postal document, displaying clear stamp perforation holes and bold lettering reading \"S. MAIL\" and \"AND\".
- Secondary Cabin Roof (Left): Authentic 19th-century Civil War-era U.S. Internal Revenue Document Stamp featuring a bold arched banner reading \"STATE\".
- Foreground Fence Rails: Three horizontal rails cut into thin, straight strips from vintage 1920s/1930s purple/violet U.S. postage stamps (such as a 3¢ violet issue).
- Foreground Foliage (Lower Left): Vibrant violet vintage stamp cuttings displaying distinct \"S.PO\" (U.S. Postage) typography.
HISTORICAL PHILATELIC (STAMP) & NUMISMATIC (CURRENCY) INVENTORY
--- ANTIQUE & VINTAGE UNITED STATES POSTAGE STAMPS ---
1. 1925 Nathan Hale 1/2¢ Olive-Brown Stamp (Scott #551)
- Location on Art: Forms the horse\'s flank and hindquarters.
- Distinct Markings: Features a highly collectible, authentic \"SPRINGFIELD OHIO\" local precancel text overprint. The name ribbon \"NATHAN HALE\" is visible.
2. 1920s George Washington 2¢ Carmine-Red Stamp (Regular Issue)
- Location on Art: Forms the main body of the country church.
- Distinct Markings: Displays the distinct arched text \"POSTAGE\" and the numeric denomination \"2\" in a circular frame.
- Additional Use: Strips of this same carmine-red stamp border form the tall church steeple, spire, and a red segment of the rider\'s clothing (showing partial \"WASH\" lettering).
3. 1920s/1930s George Washington or Abraham Lincoln 3¢ Deep Violet/Purple Stamps
- Location on Art: Forms the three horizontal rails of the foreground split-rail fence.
- Additional Use: Slices of these purple stamps form the foreground floral foliage in the bottom left corner, displaying distinct \"S.PO\" (U.S. Postage) typography.
4. 1920s Red U.S. Postal Document / Postage Stamp
- Location on Art: Forms the large red roof and upper walls of the primary cabin.
- Distinct Markings: Displays authentic vertical circular stamp perforation holes and bold lettering reading \"S. MAIL\" and \"AND\".
5. 19th-Century Civil War Era U.S. Internal Revenue Document Stamp
- Location on Art: Forms the arched red roof of the secondary cabin.
- Distinct Markings: Features a bold, ornate arched text banner reading \"STATE\".
--- ANTIQUE & VINTAGE UNITED STATES PAPER CURRENCY ---
1. United States $100 Federal Reserve Note (High-Denomination Bill)
- Location on Art: Forms the background foliage of the large right-hand tree.
- Distinct Markings: Features the crisp, authentic engraved portrait nameplate reading \"FRANKLIN\" cut directly from the bottom border of the bill.
2. United States $1 Silver Certificate / Federal Reserve Note (Modern Era Layout)
- Location on Art: Forms the lower-left foreground lawn layer beneath the purple flowers.
- Distinct Markings: Features the iconic ornate \"ONE\" text block and the numeric corner \"1\" nestled inside its dark green decorative shield frame.
3. United States Federal Reserve Bank Notes (General Green Intaglio Security Backs)
- Location on Art: Forms the large left evergreen tree, rolling green hillsides, and grassy paths.
- Distinct Markings: Displays the heavy, detailed green treasury security lathe-work and lathe lines. Various pieces include oversized background lettering fragments reading \"AD\", \"GE\", \"TEN\", and \"FRA\" harvested from the large border text on the reverse of the bills.
4. United States Banknote Face Details (Black Intaglio Engraving)
- Location on Art: Forms the chest, neck, shoulder, and front leg muscles of the horse.
- Distinct Markings: Utilizes the natural curves of the ornate border framing on a banknote face, displaying crisp, curved capital lettering that reads \"ED STATE\" (from \"UNITED STATES OF AMERICA\").
- Additional Use: Thinly sliced dark margins and alignment lines form the dark vertical fence posts.
REVERSE INSCRIPTION, ARTIST & DATE OF CREATION:
The reverse side of the primitive backing paper features complete, authentic handwritten pencil script documenting the exact date, artist identity, and presentation history:
- DATE OF CREATION: August 18th, 1934 (Written as \"Aug 18th, 1934\" at the height of the Great Depression)
- ARTIST NAME / SIGNATURE: F. Romes (Underlined with a classic stylized vintage flourish)
- DEDICATION INSCRIPTION: \"Made by Frances Coutier and presented to Nina Croasdale, Wisc.\" (Indicating a historic Midwest / Wisconsin provenance)
FEATURES & CONDITION:
- Medium: Original Antique U.S. Paper Currency & 1920s Stamp Mosaic Collage
- Scene: Primitive Country Landscape with Church, Homesteads, Horse & Carriage
- Frame: Original solid wood frame finished in a rustic country green patina
- Condition: In excellent original antique condition. The parchment paper displays a gorgeous, authentic natural uniform browning and faint foxing spots that confirm its 92-year history. Frame has light, honest edge wear.
- Shipping: Professionally packed and shipped with premium insurance and signature tracking to guarantee secure delivery.
Shipping will be a flat rate of $22.95 to pay for postage & insurance up to the purchase price. (Actually the insurance cost will be in excess of this amount - but I will pay the difference) It will be sent through usps ground advantage.
