Pierre Jahan

signed in ink on the image, mounted, signed and inscribed 'epreuve et cliché de 1947' in ink on the reverse, framed, Guggenheim Museum exhibition and Buhl Collection labels on the reverse, 1947, printed later

Galerie Michèle Chomette, Paris, 1999

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)

West Palm Beach, Norton Museum of Art, A Show of Hands: Photographs and Sculpture from the Buhl Collection, January - March 2008

Jennifer Blessing, Speaking with Hands: Photographs from The Buhl Collection (Guggenheim Foundation, 2004), pp. 55 and 224 (this print)

This photograph, on matte-surface paper, is in generally very good to excellent condition. Upon close examination in raking light, the following are visible: in the lower left quadrant, a few semi-glossy deposits of retouching over a flaw in the negative; and scattered light scuffs and faint scratches that do not break the emulsion overall. The print is on a thick off-white mount with light-green paper-backing. There are scuffs and graphite-colored soiling from handling primarily on the upper portion of the mount. The reverse of the mount is darker along the left edge, and there are fingerprints near the upper and lower right corners. 'COT. 1. 285' is written in ink. Although the photographer has indicated on the reverse of the mount that this print was both taken and printed in 1947, when examined under ultraviolet light, it appears to fluoresce.
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.