Edward Weston

numbered '493-9' by the photographer's wife, Charis Wilson, in ink on the reverse, matted, 1941, printed between 1942 and 1943 (Conger 1657; Supreme Instants, p. 182; Huntington, pl. 136)

Collection of Charis Wilson, the photographer's wife, 1940s

Acquired by Wendy Madar from the above, 1997

This early, slightly warm-toned print, on thin Velox paper with a semi-glossy surface, is in generally very good condition. The corners are lightly bumped, resulting in emulsion loss at the upper left corner. Additionally, there are 4 tiny areas of chipping in the emulsion in the upper right corner and the center left edge. There is age-darkening along the top and left edges. A sharp handling crease in the center of the top edge breaks the emulsion. A few tiny white specks in the negative are visible. In raking light, a few soft handling creases and pinpoint indentations are visible, none of which breaks the emulsion. None of these issues detracts from the attractive quality of this Weston print. On the reverse, there is age-darkening along the top and right edges.
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.

In 1941, Edward Weston received a commission from the fine-book publisher, the Limited Editions Club, to illustrate a new edition of Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass. The Limited Editions Club had over the years asked a number of important artists to create illustrations for classic works of literature, but the use of photographs in Weston's day was a novel idea.

From the spring of 1941 through early in 1942, Weston and his wife, Charis Wilson, made their own Whitmanesque journey across the United States by car.  From the hundreds of negatives Weston made on this extended trip, a smaller group was then chosen to send to the Limited Editions Club for ultimate approval.  The photographs in this and the following lot were among those used by Weston and Wilson in their selection process.  The present print bears Charis Wilson's writing on the reverse. 

After the Leaves of Grass project was finished, a number of the photographs remained in Wilson's possession, and she referred to them decades later while recounting the trip for her memoir, Through Another Lens: My Years with Edward Weston (New York, 1998).  Wendy Madar, the memoir's co-author, received these photographs from Wilson as a gift.