Edward Weston 1886-1958

mounted, signed, dated, and numbered '4 - 50' by the photographer in pencil on the mount, titled, dated, and numbered '20B' and '4 - 50' by him in pencil on the reverse, 1934, no. 4 in a projected edition of 50

Paul Hertzmann, Inc., San Francisco

Acquired by Michael Shapiro Gallery, San Francisco, 1995

Acquired by the present owner from the above, 1995

Other prints of this image:

Conger 795

Gilles Mora, ed., Edward Weston: Forms of Passion (New York, 1995), p. 205

Manfred Heiting, ed., Edward Weston (Köln, 2004), p. 140

Carl Haenlein, ed., Anton Josef Tr¿ka, Edward Weston, Helmut Newton: The Artificial of the Real (Hannover: Kestner Gesellschaft, 1998, in conjunction with the exhibition), p. 94

This print, on paper with a surface sheen, is in generally excellent condition. As is appropriate for a Weston print made in 1934, it is on a slick white mount with a matte surface on the reverse. It has been fully signed, dated, and numbered by Weston on the mount. Very slight edge wear is evident upon the closest examination. The upper corners of the print are somewhat bumped. When examined in high raking light, a small, extremely faint scratch and two tiny indentations, not breaking the emulsion, are visible. The slick gray mount is in very good condition. There is a number '3' in pencil that is circled in the lower right corner. The corners are bumped, and a very small portion of the upper right corner tip is missing. The 1/2-inch strip of abrasion/discoloration across the top edge of the mount is likely from a prior hinging or matting. The reverse of the mount is age-darkened, with random, scattered foxing and light soiling. There are two cloth tape remnants at the top edge on the reverse from a prior hinging, as well as a small nick in the mount at the left edge.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.