Gustave Le Gray (1820-1882)

Albumen print from a wet collodion negative, mounted on original card. Signed in red ink at the lower right and with the photographer's blindstamp on the mount.

Aubenas, S. 2002 ill. 338 (unsigned) and p. 363.

Albumen print mounted directly onto original card and still firmly adhering; the edges cut by hand and not quite straight. Ample evidence of retouching notably in the upper right corner where a missing piece of emulsion reaching slightly more than 1cm from the corner has been blacked out. Similarly in small areas irregularly spread over the picture area, of which the most notable are along the right edge of the image, including a group of nearly horizontal scratches at lower right,carefully retouched. There are broad sweeps visible in an an up and down direction across the surface of the image, the marks of the original preparation of the photographic surfaces. Colour and tone are both deep and rich and well preserved. The surface is only very lightly marked, although a few light scuffs are present and visible in the paler area of the sky. The original mount is lightly marked on the front and slightly more stained upon the reverse. Overall, an excellent print in very good condition.
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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."