Antique Hancolored French Engraving 1774 " Le Lever" Start Price USD 79.00 Current Price USD 79.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Tuesday, July 22, 2008 End Time Friday, August 01, 2008 Location Las Cruces, NM See more about 'Antique Hancolored French Engraving 1774 " Le Lever"' Description   You are bidding on what I have been told by an antiques dealers is  a very old hand -colored engraved/ print of French origination dated from  1774, entitled LE LEVER.  The date 1774 is partially faded.  But I beieve the blow up of the date I have provided shows that the the two 7's which are partially faded could not be any other number with what is showing.   In addition the frame is also obviously very old and I am sure is the original in that the wood from the rear shows significant age and the blue painted portion of the gilded frame matches the hand colored blue in the curtains surrounding the bed in the picture . You will note in picture 4 a blow up of both the left and right portions under the engraving/print that it shows  the information of who engraved it on the left and the artist on the right with the date.  As I look at the name of the artist all I can make out is A. Romanet ? S??? with the date 1774.  The sevens are somewhat faded as noted above but upon  close examination the imprint of the seven can be seen along with the portion that has not faded.  Detailed at the bottom in French is the following:  LE LEVER. Tu chasses le plus doux sommeil!   Par des songes charmans mon ame etoit  flattee:                         Je detesterois mon reveil,        Si  tes caresses, Galathee, En continuant mon delire,   Ne consoloient  mon  tendre coeur:     Est-ce plaisir, est-ce martyre? Ah, je ne sais, mais j'aime mon erreur. Unfortunately my High School French does not allow me to translate this into English. My wife purchased this many years ago in Atlanta GA., at an Antique Store .  As you can see it is in rather excellent condition considering the age.  I do not think the glass in this piece is original since it is not wavy like most  glass from that period.  But again I repeat I do believe the frame to be the original. Please feel free to write with any questions you may have regarding this engraving/print. I am sure there are many collectors out there who can translate the French on this and make a better determination of the information printed on this engraving/print and also the value of this item.   If someone would be so kind as to give me the gist of the translatin on this I would greatly appreciate it.  I have a feeling it is not only very old but also very rare and worth much more than I immagine or can determine.     So  I will leave it up to the knowlegable antique experts out there  to determine what the real value of this item is, based on the bids received.   The picture and frame measures 18 1/2 by 13 3/4 inches. I initially left this out and was asked bu an interested bidder for the dimensions.  So have revised this to show dimension.s This will require specialized packing for shipping.  On Jul-25-08 at 08:06:31 PDT, seller added the following information:NOTE:  The shipping costs listed are only an estimate.  I fully expect they will be less.  However until I get UPS to wrap this so that it will arrive with no damage, I can not determine the exact cost.  I fully expect to refund some of the postage after I actually ship this item. Place a Bid!