Athenaeum Portrait of George Washington Value Guide

This early 20th-century lithograph is a faithful reproduction of Gilbert Stuart's 1796 'Athenaeum Portrait,' the most iconic image of George Washington and the basis for the U.S. one-dollar bill. Produced between 1930 and 1940, these prints gained immense popularity during the 1932 Bicentennial celebrations of Washington's birth, making them significant pieces of American commemorative history.

What Is Athenaeum Portrait of George Washington Worth?

The typical price range for Athenaeum Portrait of George Washington is $125 - $140 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The physical condition of the lithograph, specifically the absence of foxing, water damage, or fading from sunlight.
• The integrity of the original 1930s wooden frame and the presence of original wavy glass.
• Provenance or labels on the reverse side that link the piece specifically to the 1932 Bicentennial commission.
• Current market demand for early 20th-century Americana and presidential memorabilia.

How to Identify Athenaeum Portrait of George Washington?

• Check for the characteristic 'unfinished' look at the bottom of the portrait, a hallmark of Stuart's original 1796 model.
• Examine the paper for signs of 1930s lithographic printing, which often features a specific dot pattern under magnification compared to modern digital prints.
• Verify the presence of a period-correct wood frame and glass, which were standard for Bicentennial era reproductions.
• Look for any publisher marks or copyright dates near the bottom edge that coincide with the 1932 Bicentennial era.

History of Athenaeum Portrait of George Washington

Painted by Gilbert Stuart in 1796, the original Athenaeum Portrait was never finished so the artist could use it as a model to produce multiple copies for profit. It remains the most famous image of the first President and serves as the basis for the portrait on the United States one-dollar bill. This specific version is a Bicentennial era reproduction, popularized around 1932 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Washington's birth.