El Lissitzky

Lithograph printed in red and black, 1920, on off-white wove paper, published by UNOVIS, Vitebsk, framed, with a certificate of authenticity signed by Yevgeny Kovtun

The print is in good condition. The sheet was previously folded in quarters (the creases now flattened and stabilized with linen-tape in sections verso) with associated faint damp stain visible alongside the creases, and the sheet slightly toned. Other minor imperfections include occasional small spots of discoloration throughout, the sheet edges with several small nicks and tiny tears, each backed with linen and mainly at bottom edge. The verso with intermittent skinning at the sheet edges. The black areas are unevenly printed.
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.

This rare poster is one of only a few known surviving impressions printed by the Russian avant-garde artist group UNOVIS in 1919-20.  Yevgeny Kovtun, former curator at the Russian State Museum, St. Petersburg, explained that UNOVIS required large editions of this poster and therefore two matrices were used.  The Lenin Library, Moscow houses the only known impression of the alternate 1919-1920 state.

Another impression of Beat the Whites with the Red Wedge was sold in these rooms April 29, 2011 (lot 57).  The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston owns a third impression, which was originally in the collection of Solomon Telingator, a Soviet typographer and student of El Lissitzky.  Each of these posters are identical to the present example.