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Journal of Antiques and Collectibles and Asheford Institute of Antiques have teamed up to present:

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Certified Appraisal Training

Mr. Appraiser: My father has a with Abraham Lincoln being a common man and honest and hop-
statue of Abraham Lincoln in ing to save the Union and free the slaves.” In an interview, Frank
his office. Can you please tell me said that he always had a fascination with Lincoln and that his first
what we have here? It is made Lincoln carvings were made out of a bar of soap. He referred to
of heavy metal that is 25” in himself as a “primitive” sculptor.
length and sits on a wooden John Frank’s work currently resides in the Meisei Museum in
stand with a small metal bust of Tokyo Japan, The Lincoln Home National Historic Site in
Lincoln attached. It is signed on Springfield, IL, The Gettysburg National Park in Pennsylvania. I
the front and back “John R have not verified but was told by a knowledgeable collector that one
Frank” and has a phrase “the is displayed at the Illinois Statehouse and several private collections.
last days” engraved on the back Your casting of The Last Days features a full figure solid bronze
just above the signature. It is a Lincoln figure and a hollow bronze base that is 25” tall. It sits on a
nice heavy statue and we want wooden stand with a bronze bust plaque of Lincoln on the front
to know how much it is worth. panel. Your Bronze has a professionally made wooden stand with a
Who is John Frank? What kind bronze bust plaque of Abraham Lincoln from an unidentified artist.
of metal is it made of? And how I have never seen or found a Frank bronze with this stand and it
old is it? My Dad traded a small German cuckoo clock and $100 for it definitely adds to this statue.
several years ago in Illinois and the man told him he had owned it for I must state that John R Frank’s original bronzes do not come
years. We love it because it has a rawness to it that captures the essence to market—or at least the “open” market—very often. I have been
of Lincoln as I think of him. told these are cherished, especially in Illinois, and are usually bought
Thank you for your help – S B A or traded behind the scenes and never make it to auction. When
offered at local auctions, they bring $120-$300 without a stand. I
Hello, and thank you for requesting information on this great personally know of a private sale where one sold for $600. If I were
piece of American folk-art. Yes, I said American folk-art. Most peo- to see this folky bronze of Abraham Lincoln with this stand come
ple think of folk-art as a wood carving or an oil painting, but folk- to a well-advertised upper-end auction with John R Frank’s Bio list-
art comes in all mediums, shapes, and sizes. The mediums that the ed, I would expect to see it sell for $400/$650+. I personally believe
artist, John R Frank, chose for his life’s passion are wood and bronze. Frank’s Lincoln bronzes, although in his words, "primitive" in
Frank created 75 of this particular Lincoln bronze he titled The appearance, are underpriced. Personally, I think your Dad made an
Last Days in 1972/77. This particular bronze is marked on the right outstanding trade. I hope he displays and enjoys this great piece.
of the title and signature on the back of the statue “21/75,” which Thank you for allowing me to render my opinion.
means this is the 21st Lincoln statue made out of a total of 75. I Information gleaned from: The Bronzes of Abraham Lincoln from
have seen a total of three of Frank’s The Last Days Lincoln bronzes the files of the Lincoln Fnancial Foundation, newspaper articles, and
and feel the same as you do in that he catches the essence of a worn interviews.
and tired Lincoln in his final days on this earth.
John Frank (1907-1987) was a self-taught artist who owned David Moore is part of the “Ask the Experts” appraising team for the Asheford
and managed the Log House antique shop in St. Charles, IL for 45 Institute of Antiques where he is an Honors graduate and a Certified Asheford
Institute of Antiques Appraiser. Mr. Moore has been buying, researching and
years. This shop had a gallery with several wood statues John Frank selling the rare and unusual in antiques for over 50 years. David is currently
carved of Abraham Lincoln. Frank’s Son once said, “Dad identified the owner of D.L. Moore, CAA, an antiques appraisal business.
The Journal of Antiques & Collectibles and Asheford Institute of Antiques have teamed up to provide our readers with professional appraisers to help you learn
more about and value your finds. Do you have questions about something you have acquired? We welcome your questions and photos. Send your information to
editorial@journalofantiques.com or mail to Journal of Antiques & Collectibles, PO Box 950, Sturbridge, MA 01566 attn: Appraisers Corner. To learn more about
becoming a “certified” antiques appraiser, visit www.asheford.com or contact the Admissions Office toll free at 877-444-4508.

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46 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles