Collecting Maxfield Parrish’s work, as well as other ephemera from the golden age of American illustration, is an emotional, as much as it is a financial, endeavor for me. I grew up in a home where the fantastical figures of Parrish’s imagination - the knaves, the princes, the fairies, elves, squires, mages, clowns, kings, queens, knights, and nymphs - bedecked the walls of most every room. Each frame held a story set in the landscape of Parrish’s imagination - a make-believe world rendered in such minute detail, with such astonishing realism, that it seemed impossible that it was make-believe. My stepfather was responsible for decorating those rooms - he was the original Parrish devotee, as well as a curator of propaganda posters from the Great Wars (and much more). On one wall, a period print of Daybreak might await me. As soon as I stepped into another room, though, I would be confronted by Uncle Sam declaring “I WANT YOU!” in all his glory. It was a magical place and time, and The Gilded Prints is my attempt at assembling an oasis of that nostalgia to share with you.

Parrish’s gift (and that of his cohorts) was his capacity to create art that was accessible to everyone. His work needs no interpretation or analysis - to see it is to appreciate it. He painted scenes resplendent with beauty, innocence, humanity, and humor. The tremendous popularity that Parrish enjoyed during his career resulted from his ability to strike a chord that resonated with a vast audience - he understood the public's desire for a better, purer, truer place and time (a desire that continues to resonate - perhaps now more than ever). Parrish was a painter for the people.  

And The Gilded Prints is a site for the people. Whether you are a first-time buyer, a seasoned collector, an antiquarian, or a person drawn to the vintage charm of a bygone era, we are here to help you find a piece that speaks to your aesthetic and historical curiosity. The items for sale here may be composed of paper, wood, ink, and glass - but within each frame or margin you will find a portal to another time. Each piece has been selected for its authenticity, condition, and historical significance. It is my sincere hope that during your visit you will find something that satisfies your own nostalgic inclination - your own longing for home. Whatever your reason for stopping by, I hope that you will stay awhile. You never know what magic you may find.