These two boys have been misbehaving themselves, although precisely what has stirred the scorn of the venerable priest does not appear.  However reprehensible it may have been, one may safely conclude, from the innocent expression of the lads, that the aged ecclesiastic has often done just as badly himself in his own days of youthful indiscretion.  The spaniel at this feet seems to be playing sacrilegiously enough with a manuscript sermon, and the old man appears to be entirely at home in the interior of the cottage, of which, for the nonce, he is making a confessional.

      Herr Schloesser is a fair representative of the Duseldorf School, although living in London, and well known at the exhibition of the Royal Academy.  He can tell a story, and he believes in telling stories, most of his works having strong interest.  A cabinet-picture of his, called “Reading the News,” was sold at Mr. John Taylor Johnston’s sale in the 1870’s.  Many of his subjects are humorous.  He received a medal at the International Exhibition at Vienna in 1873.  He is a native of Darmstadt, Germany.  The late Emperor Napoleon III bought one of his canvases, called “Forbidden Fruit.”

IMPORTANT TO NOTE

Antique prints, engravings, and lithographs are printing processes which use steel, copper, stone or wood blocks or plates to produce a picture on paper.

Most antique prints and engravings, which are seen on the internet today, are bookplates.  Because they are pages from a book, there are multiple copies in existence.  This does not, however, mean that they are "reproductions" that have been printed recently.  Because they were, at some point, part of books, some have been preserved in excellent condition, while others show signs of age, as yellow spots or darkness on the edge of the page from being handled.

Engravings, lithographs, ect. are high quality pieces of art, as it took a highly trained artist many hours of work to produce one.  Although there may be multiple copies still in existence, the date of the item should be stated in the auction, thus giving the buyer an idea of it's age.