Irving Penn

platinum-palladium print, flush-mounted to aluminum, signed, titled, dated, annotated, and editioned '16/23' in pencil and stamped on the reverse, framed, 1980, printed in December 1981 (Passage, p. 237; Still Life, unpaginated)

This warm-toned platinum-palladium print on Strathmore paper is in generally excellent condition. There is a one-inch darker band at the periphery of the image, where the mat covers the print. At the margin edges, there are thin, irregular rust-colored areas, possibly a result of the print's adhesion to aluminum. The edition stamp on the reverse indicates that in addition to the 23 numbered prints in platinum, there may also exist a number of unsigned gelatin silver prints for reproduction purposes. On the reverse of the mount, 'AR 1549' is written in pencil. The artist's copyright stamp is dated '1981.' On the reverse of the frame, there is a Fraenkel Gallery, San Francisco, label with typed credit, title, date, edition, and medium.
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.