I don’t know much about fancy art. I’m more likely to be carrying a refrigerator down basement steps than hanging pictures on the wall. But even I knew this wasn’t something that belonged in the dumpster.

This is an original hand-signed Charles Mielatz etching of Trinity Church in New York City. It’s got the plate mark, the pencil signature, and the little Viking ship remarque in the margin. From what I’ve learned, Mielatz’s work is held in several major museum collections.

Now for the part where I don’t sugarcoat anything…

This thing has had a rough life.

The mat has foxing, staining, and what appears to be mold or mildew from long-term storage. The frame is old, and I have not taken the print apart because I’d rather let someone with conservation experience decide how to handle it. I’m selling it exactly as I found it.

If you’re looking for a perfect wall-ready piece, this ain’t it.

If you’re the kind of person who enjoys saving artwork that deserves another chance, this might be right up your alley.

Please study every photo carefully. They’re part of the description and show the condition better than I ever could.

I’ll pack it like it’s headed into a demolition site… because around here, that’s about the safest packing standard we’ve got.

Thanks for looking.

— Opie