I hope someone can help me discover the artist and possible value of a painting.
I inherited a lovely aquatint Etching from my grandmother who bought it in Paris.
It is signed in Pencil, the title being "Depart Je Peche", and the artist to the right bottom
just signed "Jules". The images are of two fishing boats (sails), two men, the sea
and the shore. Gulls in the sky, and distinctly a Barbizon rendering of all images.

It has a stamp of authenticity, in a rounded triangle w/ initials "SZL", meaning
Sydney z. Lucas, the son of Camilla Lucas, whose gallery was in New York in the
Early 20th Century. Some feedback I've gotten, was that this could be the
work of Jules Dupre. If so, this work is worth a lot, due to that it is a first edition.

I can't find, however, any work with the signature one word "Jules", and yet
this work is almost perfectly identifiable with that of other works by Jules Dupre.
The only other artists I have researched w/ this style, could be Jules-Achilles Noel.
or Jules Breton.
I'd be happy to pay the person handsomely, who could find this out. One website
showed a very similar question. The answer was from a professional who said that
if the work was from an important artist, and went through this Gallery, he's seen
them worth about $56,000.00. I don't see how this painting could have been done
by an amateur.
Please, someone assist me on this. Thank you for your time. Zenkathleen

Zen, I think you have you decimal point in the wrong place.
$56 is nearer the mark.
It wasn't a gallery at all but a printshop.
The SZ and L in the circle are the trademark of Sidney Z. Lucas,
Who owned a printshop in New York in the years 1940 to 1960. He
Produced a large number of prints after old etchings. Generally,
Prints by Mr. Lucas seem not to reach very high prices,
These "etching" don't come from France but New York.

Just because it has a pencilled name and a SZL stamp DOESN'T mean it's a First Edition at all !
I believe that you are misleading or even "Boiler rooming" the PES.

Have a look Here (http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=39718) for further information.

I'd be happy to pay the person handsomely, who could find this out.
$2000 airfare to come to you, pick up your print and take it to an appraiser
$200 for a fair appraisal by a reputible art firm
$20 to deliver it all back to you

Priceless: the look on your face when you hear its worth $2, the cost of the frame

I realise urban legends die hard, but how 'bout getting a little perspective on this Kathleen?

I would take the work to your local art museum. They can be quite helpful. If you have a university close by, check out their art department. Before you invest money, do some local inquiry.

Cleveroc, this ISN'T a painting at all but an etching.
Did you read my response at all ?