Queen Victoria miniature etching, artist's proof #1/7 of the second state

JOHN ANTHONY MILLER

This is an original, hand pulled miniature etching, done in 1980 by the renowned miniature artist John Anthony Miller, who was very popular in the miniature etching and art field at that time. He was known for his finely detailed copperplate work in the tradition of Rembrandt and other superior etchers. Miller's first etchings which were commercially marketed by the company Reminiscence in Miniature, under the brilliant leadership of Commander N. Gearhart USN ret., were a suit of 8 Victorian etchings. This particular etching, "Queen Victoria" was the first one commissioned by the company in the Fall of 1980. The rest of Miller's meteoric rise was some sort of legend and his fame grew quickly as his work was sold in every state of USA and in foreign countries until the mid 1980's when many or most of the miniature markets hit a decline. During this time period Miller produced thousands of hand pulled etchings for the company and each was framed and signed. His did replications of seven miniature works of art for the Chicago Art Institute's Thorne Rooms Collection in 1981 and later an engraving of the famous Colleen Moore Fairy Castle for the Chicago Science and Industry Museum in 1982. During the mid-eighties his work found itself into the collections of many notable and celebrities and many collectors of miniatures.

This particular little etching is an ARTIST'S PROOF of the second state of 100 limited edition prints. There were 7 Artist's Proofs done, this is the first one of them (Artist Proof number one). The first state of 100 signed and numbered prints sold out immediately at a major miniature trade show in Chicago in 1980. "Queen Victoria" was then put into a second state edition of another 100 limited edition prints. This little etching is framed in the original Reminiscence golden oak frame with the little signed certificate of assurance on the back. Some of the miniature wax is still on the corners that was used to display this little piece. The size of this miniature etching is: 1" x 1-1/2" (impression of the copperplate) and 2-1/8" x 2-5/8" including the frame. The piece has a clear plexi cover on it as issued in 1980. When Miller did his miniature etchings keep in mind that there was no photographic reductions of any kind. What you see here was the way he created them with ultrafine needles and tools.

To be sure, a rarity. This etching came from the estate of the artist, and we will provide a Certificate of Assurance for the piece as being authentic. Here is a chance to own a bit of miniature art history.