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Subject:Re: Extremely old woodblock
Posted By: Stan Wed, Dec 19, 2018
I'm late to the party, but let me add to what the others have said. Here is a well preserved copy of your print at the Boston MFA:
https://www.mfa.org/collections/object/no-3-utsusemi-from-the-series-lady-murasakis-genji-cards-murasaki-shikibu-genji-karuta-486976
Note that yours has significantly degraded over the years.
As noted, your print is not terribly old (as prints go). The problem is that it has been adhered to a piece of acidic paper or cardboard. The acidity of the backing is causing the paper of the print to break down and degrade. While it might be able to be saved and restored, it is not worth it. Kunisada II is not one of the more collectable artists. I have several Kunisada II/Toyokuni IV prints, but they came as part of multi-print lots with prints that I wanted more.
That said, given the poor condition and lack of demand for Kunisada II, your print is essentially worthless (to a collector at least).
I did buy one Kunisada II triptych (Beauties in the Yoshiwara)(below) at an online auction because I liked it an it was in good condition. With shipping, it cost $56.25.
Cheers,
Stan
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