FRANK BENSON
(American, 1862-1951)

Related Links:
American Prints

Naturalist Prints by
John James Audubon

Bird Prints after
Catesby & Edwards

It has often been said that Frank Benson is the founding father of the school of American sporting print, elevating the genre of sporting prints as a popular art form. Benson’s print making career began in 1912 and by 1928 he was firmly established as a master of the art. Creating over 350 etchings and drypoints, mostly illustrating sporting subjects, Benson worked actively as a print artist until 1942.

Frank W. Benson the printmaker (he was a very successful impressionistic figure painter prior to turning to etching) is very much associated with his subject matter of ducks and other waterfowl. His choice of subjects largely followed the demands of collectors although he had a lifelong passion for birds and a great love of the outdoors. With much devotion and careful attention the artist studied birds in flight and at rest in the wild. Benson’s prints accurately capture the birds and figures of wildfowl hunting as well as the surrounding atmospheric qualities of the landscapes in which he placed his subjects.

Canada Goose
Etching, 1917
Trial proof (b)
Reference: Paff 115
4 x 5 inches

25800
$1000.

Mallards No. 2
Etching, 1918
Published state, edition size 150 proofs
Reference: Paff 138
8-7/8 x 10-3/4 inches

25855
$800.

Riverman
Etching, 1920
Published state (cut plate), edition size 150 proofs
Reference: Paff 195
6 x 4 inches

25822
SOLD

Ducks Alighting
Etching, 1921
Published state, edition size 369 proofs
Made for the Brooklyn Society of Etchers
Reference: Paff 207
5-7/8 x 4-1/2 inches

25803
$800.

Black Ducks and Widgeon
Etching, 1942
Signed in pencil
Trial proof (c) or (d)
Reference: Paff 350
12 x 10 inches

25856
$1000.

On the Kedgewick
Etching, 1923
Published state, edition of 150 proofs
Reference: Paff 222
Stain in image, top right quadrant
7-7/8 x 11-7/8 inches

25813
$2400.

Soaring Fish Hawk
Drypoint, 1923
Published state, edition of 150 proofs
Reference: Paff 225
5-5/8 x 7-7/8 inches

25826
$1500.

Flying Widgeon
Etching, 1924
Published state, edition of 150 proofs
Reference: Paff 231
9-3/4 x 14-3/4 inches

25804
$700.

Baldpates
Drypoint, 1924
Published state, edition of 150 proofs
Reference: Paff 235
7-7/8 x 9-7/8 inches

25796
$1200.

Black Ducks at Dusk
Etching, 1924
Published state, edition of 150 proofs
Reference: Paff 239
4-7/8 x 6-7/8 inches

25857
$750.

Nightfall (Second Plate)
Drypoint, 1926
Trail proof
Reference: Paff 262
5-7/8 x 7-7/8 inches

25858
SOLD

Rainbow Cove
Etching, 1927
Trail proof (a)
Reference: Paff 263
7-3/4 x 9-3/4 inches

25855
$650.

The Passing Flock
Etching, 1927
Signed in pencil
Published state, edition of 150 proofs
Reference: Paff 277
11-7/8 x 13-7/8 inches

25815
$1250.

Casting for Salmon
Etching, 1929
Signed in pencil
Published state, edition of 150 proofs
Reference: Paff 288
7-3/4 x 10 inches

25122
SOLD

Pair of Pintails
Drypoint, 1930
Signed in pencil
Published state, edition of 150 proofs
Reference: Paff 294
8 x 10 inches

25814
$1200.

Greater Yellolegs
Etching and drypoint, 1930
Signed in pencil
Trail proof (d)
Reference: Paff 297
8-7/8 x 13-3/4 inches

25843
SOLD

Waders
Drypoint, 1930
Signed in pencil
Published state, edition of 150 proofs
Reference: Paff 298
7 x 12 inches

25830
$1200.

Redheads Coming
Etching, 1930
Signed in pencil
Published state, edition of 150 proofs
Reference: Paff 302
8 x 15 inches

25819
$1000.

Lone Pintail
Drypoint, 1930
Signed in pencil
Published state, edition of 150 proofs
Reference: Paff 303
4-1/2 x 6 inches

25809
SOLD

Rain Squall
Etching, 1931
Signed in pencil
Published state, edition of 150 proofs
Reference: Paff 317
6-7/8 x 8-3/4 inches

25125
$1200.

Moonrise
Etching, 1931
Signed in pencil
Trial proof (c)
Reference: Paff 319
7 x 9 inches

25853
$1500.

Sunset at Long Point
Etching, 1933
Signed in pencil
Published state, edition of 150 proofs
Reference: Paff 333
10 x 7-7/8 inches

25827
$900.

Sanctuary
Etching, 1932
Signed in pencil
Published state, edition of 150 proofs
Reference: Paff 327
7 x 9 inches

25824
$1000.

Three Mallards
Drypoint, 1933
Signed in pencil
Likely trial proof (d)
Reference: Paff 334
11-3/4 x 10 inches

25828
$1600.