Help with a World War 1 period Vintage portrait please

I need help identifying a signature and if possible identifying a historical person in this Legion of Honor portrait. I just inherited this beautiful portrait of I believe a French soldier. My family has owned it for at least 30 years. It is signed and dated 1918. The frame is old and period correct from my research. There is a number on the back but no other identifier. The embossed frame measures 23" tall by 19" wide and the viewable area is 15" tall by 11 1/2" wide.

Any help on value would be greatly appreciated . Thanks

 

The symbol at the bottom is known as Croix de Guerre (Cross of War) to recognize soldiers cited for bravery.
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/185660-wwi-french-and-belgian-croix-de-guerre

 

and the siggy , likely the photographer..

 

looks like E. Cayet.

 

Any ideas on value?

 

this is not a site to get values...
u need to find others like this that have sold recently..

 

Is it against forum rules to ask for the value?

 

no, not at all !!!

and u may even get a member or two to offer up ballpark prices.....if they have knowledge about the items value....

but our purpose here is to discuss and zero in on an items true nature and history...

there are too many as of yet unknown variables , to suggest what it may be worth....imo......and that's not what we're about...

u've asked for a value ....twice.....and maybe a member will show up with a thought on that........

it's a nice item.....and a real antique....... and nice of you to bring it to our attention...
& more research is needed.......

 

I don't agree at all. If 40 years of collecting has taught me anything, you don't have to know everything about a piece to give it value or to see value in it.

Unless it's against forum rules, asking for value will be in my postings. I always have multiple ways to research items. I'm glad to add this forum as one of them.

 

Yes,but surely learning as much as possible about an item and it’s history is truly beneficial and should be your first goal.

Anyway so as long as you also understand that assigning monetary value to items is not the main aim/objective of the forum.. We are here to share,discuss and learn...

 

The frame is interesting, the size is impressive, but if the person photographed is not a recognized with historical significance its value becomes average. Many times the same item is never found. All you have are comparable items on which to base a value. In the end the buying market will establish its monetary worth. It's a very attractive military collectable in good condition.