The End of the Trail Print Value Guide

This iconic sepia-toned lithograph captures James Earl Fraser's 1915 sculpture, originally debuted at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. As a poignant symbol of Indigenous displacement, these mass-produced prints became a staple of American home decor during the 1920s and 1930s.

What Is The End of the Trail Print Worth?

The typical price range for The End of the Trail Print is $45 - $50 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition of the paper, specifically the absence of water stains, foxing, or significant fading from sunlight.
• The presence of the original Art Deco or Mission-style wooden frame and original backing materials.
• Clarity of the lithographic detail, as later or poorly stored reproductions may appear blurred or washed out.
• Market demand for the specific size, with larger format prints generally reaching the higher end of the $45-$50 range.

How to Identify The End of the Trail Print?

• Look for the 'John Drescher Co. N.Y.' publisher mark often found in the lower margin of authentic 1920s prints.
• Examine the paper for a natural aged patina and a matte lithographic finish rather than a modern glossy sheen.
• Verify the presence of the original period wood frame and wavy glass, which are characteristic of the 1920-1940 era.
• Check for the specific sepia-toned ink palette used in early 20th-century mass-market lithography.

History of The End of the Trail Print

Based on the 1915 sculpture created for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, this image became one of the most widely reproduced artworks of the 20th century. It depicts an exhausted Native American man slumped over his horse, intended to symbolize the plight and displacement of Indigenous peoples during the westward expansion of the United States. During the 1920s and 30s, lithographic prints like this one were mass-produced by companies such as the John Drescher Co. for home decor.