Antique engravings - American?

yup, like I said...

 

Happy to be wrong on that point. (Not paying enough attention.) Engraved printing plates had long lives and would often move around. They could be bought and sold, re-printed and re-issued in different publications, even re-engraved. Since yours do not show authorship, I would guess they are later issues. The frames may be contemporary with the prints, which, if true, might be a plus, but I think modern collectors prefer framing that shows whatever information the print offers, including things like plate marks and titles.

It's very common for a frame to be the greater part of the price in print sales.

It's good that the prints aren't showing acid burn from the mats. Decent quality materials were used in the framing. Clean the glass thoroughly before putting them back together (it's always surprising to me how dirty the inside of the glass can get), and you'll probably end up wanting to do the other as well.

 

I have three copies of this engraving, titled "Childhood", after a painting by Greuze.


The earliest published was c1854 in The Royal Gallery of Art, London, the second in The Art Journal, London, 1859, and the third in Appleton’s Journal, New York, 1888. And I am aware of yet another version with an added, elaborately engraved, floral surround (a title page for something as I recall). Each has the same engraver credit, but the Appleton's is a bit narrower than the others and shows some flaws in the plate (probably from handling and use).

 

Maybe it's a trick of the light, but I see that large rectangle around the image as acid damage from a previous mat. A plate impression would include the title portion imo. The frame is also causing damage, which is why the yellowing is darker near the edges. The frame can be kept, but it needs to be taped around the inside with framers tape to prevent any more damage. The "newer" mats currently on it might be acid free, but I'd have to get a better look at them to be sure. A framer could take a look in person and tell.

New mats at this size, taping, and mounting are fairly inexpensive. If the glass is replaced with UV resistant, then that can be the larger spend depending on if it's standard or museum grade. If glass is not replaced, they should be hung where no sunlight will be on them.

That Childhood engraving is superb! The hatching linework is *chefs kiss*.

 

Many thanks @moreotherstuff, I’m not sure how I find out when else they were printed but will keep researching.
Agree, given the relatively low prices of the prints online I expect these will appeal more because of the overall look, including framing - as they did to me. They’re certainly old.

 

Thanks, you might be right about the border being from one of the mounts, it’s certainly possible, I’ll have to take a closer look.
I don’t think the mounts are newer, I’d be pretty sure original to the framing.