Boris E. Skvirsky (1887 - date unknown)

Album containing 23 loose art deco nude studies in silver print, many with hand-colouring, each mounted onto textured card. The front cover titled ('Studies Skvirsky') in individual bronze letters and decorated with a bronze panel depicting a female discus thrower, itself a reworking of one of the images inside. Most of the prints have pencilled descriptions of colour on the reverse apparently giving instruction for the appropriate card to be used for each ('Pale grey', 'yellow', 'green' ...).
One print is signed in pencil in the image.

Time Magazine, 30th May 1932.

The spine of the album is broken. Several of the prints are heavily silvered, one or two have substantial creasing to the corners, and most have minor imperfections to the surface. The mounts are chipped and bumped as to their edges and occasionally torn at the edges over short measures; nevertheless, the overall condition of the album is very fair.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Boris E. Skvirsky acted in the 1930s as the unofficial Russian ambassador to the US -- unofficial because the countries had broken formal relations. According to Time magazine "Though Washington does not recognise Moscow, the Hoover administration permits a Soviet Russian Information Bureau to flourish in a modest red brick house on Massachusetts Avenue, within a mile of the White house. The chief of this bureau is Boris E. Skvirsky."
Skvirsky clearly had time on his hands, and these derivative but delightful nude studies are one of the results.