Lot 183
  • 183

Edward Weston 1886-1958

Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 USD
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Description

  • Edward Weston
  • 'charis'
mounted, signed, dated, and numbered '2 - 50' by the photographer in pencil on the mount, numbered '188N' by him in pencil on the reverse, matted, 1934, no. 2 in a projected edition of 50 (Nudes, p. 74)

Provenance

The photographer to Jean Kellogg

Acquired from the above by her cousins Abraham and Regula Melden in the 1950s

By descent to the present owner

Condition

This luminous early print, on paper with a surface sheen, is in generally very good condition. There is silvering in the dark areas. When examined in raking light, there appears to be a very small 'smudge' in the upper left quadrant. This may be an area of original retouching which has not oxidized in the same way as the surrounding area. Additionally, the following are also visible in raking light: several tiny pinpoint deposits of original retouching, an extremely faint scratch in the center area of the print; and a tiny (1/8-inch) indentation in the upper right quadrant that appears to have broken the emulsion. As is typical of prints that Weston made in the 1930s, the presentation of this print is appropriate for its age--mounted to a board with a slick white surface on the front and fully signed and dated on the front of the mount, with a matte surface on the reverse. There is a 3/4-by-5 1/4-inch abrasion at the upper edge of the mount in the center. On the reverse of the mount, cloth tape has partially obscured the '188N' negative number at the upper left corner. there are several small deposits of what appear to be gray ink at the right, left and lower edges of the mount, as well as significant foxing overall. These do not affect the print in any way.
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.

Catalogue Note

Weston's negative log at the Center for Creative Photography in Tucson indicates that, of the projected edition of 50 from this negative (188N), only two prints were made.