What's it worth? Appraisal of antique pastel

Cliff asks:

Hello Wally,
 
   I bought this framed painting at a yard sell in Arkansas a few days ago.  The lady I bought it from said that it came out of an old plantation home in Mississippi.  I thought it was old because of the wooden backing.

 I took the backing off, and behind the wood was a news paper page from St. Louis dated July 18th, 1895. I am hoping it is by J.W. Waterhouse. He used the same verse from the poem that is on this picture. The verse is about virgins to not waste their time.

 The painting is 12 inches by 19 inches, the mat is 22 inches by 28 inches.  I have attached severael pics.
Thanks for your help,

Cliff

AW says: This artwork is not by J W Waterhouse. What you have is a pastel, by an artist of some talent, but as it’s unsigned, (so far as we know, it could be signed under the matting) we must go on the merit of the work itself. It’s a work that was done based on the verse by 17th century poet, Robert Herrick.

Often famous poetry would inspire thousands of pieces of art all based on the same or similar themes. The work is circa late 1800s as indicated by the old newspaper you found in the back of the frame.

In short, it’s a very nice antique pastel, just not the masterpiece you wished it was.

Retail value: $225

Wholesale: $150

Quick sale: $75-$95

Keywords: Victorian, pastel, Robert Herrick, 19th century art