Small Antique Folk Art Portrait Painting of Poe-esque Man in Black pink dyed splint ash basket with three of the cards

with three of the cards showing railway signals to be read at a distance of 20 feet--as these were commonly used for testing the vision of train conductors/railway workers

with the hearts and stars constructed of paper

another reading

and his wind up mechanics no longer function

and also the title card

Small Antique Folk Art Portrait Painting of Poe-esque Man in Black pink dyed splint ash basket with three of the cardsGreat face, looking a bit like Edgar Allen Poe, or at least as full of anxiety as so feeling quite apt for the moment! I'm forever on the hunt for small antique paintings that pack a big punch, portraits most of all hard to find, and what a lot of personality to this one, with the black ground just right. 10 1 2" x 8 1 2". Signed what looks like E. F. Carr on the back of the canvas, with "No. 5" above. Oil on canvas. A few scratches to his face, which