Emil Otto Hoppé

with ink handwork on the image, annotated in pencil and ink and with the photographer's copyright, Dorian Leigh Ltd. picture agency, and 'Valuable Original / Do Not Damage' stamps and typed title on the reverse, framed, Buhl Collection and Guggenheim Museum exhibition labels on the reverse, circa 1918

The photographer to Dorien Leigh, Ltd., London

The Mansell Collection, London

Time Inc. Picture Collection

Howard Greenberg Gallery, New York, 2000

New York, Guggenheim Museum, Speaking with Hands: Photographs from The Buhl Collection, June - September 2004, and 4 other international venues through 2007 (see Appendix 1)

Jennifer Blessing, Speaking with Hands: Photographs from The Buhl Collection (Guggenheim Foundation, 2004), pp. 39 and 223 (this print)

This print, trimmed to the image and on double-weight matte-surface paper, is in generally excellent condition. A very light patina of silvering is visible near the print's periphery. Upon close examination, tiny deposits of retouching are visible, primarily in the lower-center portion of the image and in the lower right and upper left corners. The tips of the lower corners are creased, which breaks the emulsion, and there is insignificant wear along the edges. On the reverse of the print, the following is written in pencil: 'Aufrecht !' (upright), with an arrow indicating orientation, and '2238 Q Q.' Also on the reverse in an unidentified hand in ink is '1047062.' The title is typed in red and black inks on a small strip of paper that is affixed to the reverse of the print. The stamps on the reverse of the print are as follows: 'Copyright: E. O. Hoppé - London. / Please Acknowledge;' 'Dorien Leigh Ltd. / Ludgate House, / 107, Fleet St., E. C. 4. / Central 1847;' 'Copyright in USA / Please Acknowledge / Camera Portrait / E. O. Hoppé;' and 'On Loan / Valuable Original / Do Not Damage.' Although there is also a Time Inc. copyright stamp on the reverse, this is erroneous as the copyright is handled by Curatorial Assistance. The reverse of the print is soiled overall from handling and use, and there are 2 small remnants of rice paper tape along the left 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.