Maxfield Parrish Original Prints Value & Price Guide

Between 1918 and 1934, a single artist's work hung in an estimated one out of every four American homes. Maxfield Parrish didn't achieve this through gallery sales or museum shows. He did it through mass-produced prints, calendars, and advertisements that brought his luminous, intensely colored landscapes and fantasy scenes into living rooms across the country. Today, distinguishing an original period print from a later reproduction is the central challenge of collecting Parrish, and getting it right can mean the difference between a $50 poster and a $15,000 treasure.

Quick Value Summary

Detail	Info
Item	Maxfield Parrish Original Period Prints
Active Period	1895 - 1966
Category	Antiques & Decorative Arts
Modern Reproduction	$10 - $50
Period Print (small format)	$100 - $500
Period Print (medium, good frame)	$500 - $2,000
Large Edison Mazda Calendar	$1,500 - $8,000
Rare Large Format Original Print	$5,000 - $15,000+
Original Painting	$100,000 - $2,000,000+
Record Print Sale	~$20,000 (large format "Daybreak" original print)

The Story

Maxfield Parrish (1870-1966) was born Frederick Parrish in Philadelphia to a Quaker family. His father, Stephen Parrish, was an accomplished landscape painter who recognized his son's talent early. Young Parrish studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and under Howard Pyle at the Drexel Institute. He adopted the name Maxfield from his paternal grandmother's maiden name.

Parrish's breakthrough came in the 1890s with magazine illustrations for Harper's, Scribner's, and Collier's. His distinctive style was built on an unusual technique: he painted in layers of transparent oil glazes over a bright white base, creating colors of extraordinary depth and luminosity. His trademark blue, sometimes called "Parrish Blue" or "Maxfield Blue," seemed to glow from within. No printer could perfectly reproduce it, but even the printed versions were strikingly beautiful.

His most famous commercial work came through General Electric's Edison Mazda lamp division. Between 1918 and 1934, Parrish created annual calendar images for Edison Mazda that were distributed by the millions. Titles like "Daybreak" (1922), "Stars" (1926), "Ecstasy" (1929), and "Contentment" (1927) became fixtures of American domestic life. "Daybreak," showing two figures beneath classical columns overlooking a mountain landscape, is one of the most reproduced images in American art history.

Parrish grew tired of painting idealized figures and fairy-tale scenes. In 1931, he announced he would paint only landscapes. He continued working until 1962, when failing eyesight forced him to stop at age 91. He died in 1966.

How to Identify Original Period Prints

This is where collecting Parrish gets complicated. The same images have been reproduced countless times, and modern reproductions can look convincing.

Period Prints (1900s-1930s)

• Paper quality: Original period prints used high-quality paper stock that has aged to a warm ivory or cream tone. The paper has a specific weight and texture.

• Printing method: Period prints were produced using lithography or photomechanical processes of the era. Under magnification, the dot pattern differs from modern offset printing.

• Size: Original Edison Mazda calendars measured approximately 18 x 38 inches for the large format, and 8 x 12 inches for the small format. Other prints came in various standard sizes.

• Publisher marks: Look for publisher information. Edison Mazda prints carry the General Electric/Mazda branding. Book illustrations reference their original publication.

• Frame and mounting: Period prints are sometimes found in their original frames, which adds value. The frame style should be consistent with the 1920s-1930s era.

Modern Reproductions

• Paper: Modern reproductions use contemporary paper that is bright white unless artificially aged.

• Dot pattern: Under a loupe or magnifying glass (10x), modern offset printing shows a regular rosette dot pattern that differs from period printing techniques.

• Size variations: Reproductions come in sizes that don't match original formats.

• Color accuracy: Ironically, modern reproductions may show more accurate color than period prints, but they lack the aging and patina of originals.

Value by Type

Modern Reproductions

Poster-quality reproductions printed from the 1960s onward. Available in bookstores, poster shops, and online. Worth $10 to $50. These have no collectible value but are fine for decorating.

Period Prints (Small Format)

Small-format prints from books, magazine tear sheets, or the small Edison Mazda calendars. These sell for $100 to $500 depending on the image, condition, and whether they retain original matting or framing.

Period Prints (Medium Format, Good Frame)

Larger prints in period-appropriate frames. Medium-format Edison Mazda prints, art prints from publishers like Reinthal & Newman, or House of Art. Values range from $500 to $2,000. Condition of the print surface and frame quality are key factors.

Large Edison Mazda Calendars

The most collectible category of Parrish prints. Large-format Edison Mazda calendars in complete condition (with the calendar pad and metal strip at top and bottom) command $1,500 to $8,000. Without the calendar pad but with the metal strips, values drop to $800 to $3,000. "Daybreak," "Stars," and "Ecstasy" are among the most valuable titles. Condition is everything: foxing, fading, tears, and water damage reduce value dramatically.

Rare Large Format Original Prints

Limited-edition art prints published by Reinthal & Newman or Scribner's in large formats during Parrish's lifetime. These are the pinnacle of print collecting for Parrish. Values range from $5,000 to $15,000 or more for pristine examples of popular subjects.

Original Paintings

Original Parrish oil paintings are museum-level pieces that rarely appear at auction. When they do, they sell for $100,000 to $2,000,000 or more. A major landscape sold for over $4 million in 2006.

Key Images and Their Values

Title	Year	Type	Period Print Value
Daybreak	1922	Edison Mazda / Art Print	$2,000 - $15,000
Stars	1926	Edison Mazda	$1,500 - $6,000
Ecstasy	1929	Edison Mazda	$1,500 - $5,000
Contentment	1927	Edison Mazda	$1,200 - $4,000
Garden of Allah	1918	Art Print	$1,500 - $8,000
Hilltop	1926	Art Print	$800 - $3,000
Dreaming	1928	Edison Mazda	$1,000 - $3,500

Authentication

• Paper analysis: A knowledgeable dealer can identify period paper stock by weight, texture, and aging patterns.

• Magnification: A 10x loupe reveals the printing method. This is the simplest and most reliable test for distinguishing period prints from reproductions.

• Provenance: Documentation of ownership history adds value and authenticity.

• Professional appraisal: For prints potentially worth $1,000 or more, consult a specialist in American illustration art. The American Art Appraisers Association can provide referrals.

Where to Sell

• Heritage Auctions: Their illustration art department handles Parrish prints and paintings. Best for high-value pieces.

• Rago/Wright Auctions: Specializes in American decorative arts and handles Parrish regularly.

• eBay: Active market for Parrish prints at all levels. Research completed sales carefully to price accurately. Expect 13% total fees.

• Antique dealers: Dealers specializing in American illustration or early 20th century decorative arts.

Have a Maxfield Parrish print? Upload a photo to Curio Comp for help identifying whether it's a period original or a reproduction.

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Maxfield Parrish prints are among the most recognizable images in American art. Knowing the difference between a period print and a modern reproduction is the key to smart collecting.

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