Irving Penn

platinum-palladium print, flush-mounted to aluminum, signed, titled, dated, annotated, and editioned '19/25' in pencil and stamped on the reverse, framed, 1947, printed in 1977 (U. S. Camera Annual 1951, p. 152; Moments Preserved, p. 143)

Sotheby's New York, 9 November 1983, Sale 5107, Lot 235

This platinum-palladium print, on Rives BFK 360 paper, is in generally excellent condition. The edition stamp on the reverse indicates that in addition to the 25 numbered prints in platinum, there may also exist no more than 15 unnumbered, but signed, gelatin silver prints. On the reverse of the mount, the Condé Nast copyright stamp is dated in pencil '1947.'
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 image of a model drinking champagne was originally published in the October 1949 issue of American Vogue, with the caption, 'The New Romantics... A new enchantment, the feather-etched hat for evening. Best with bare shoulders, long black gloves, a short dinner dress. Made to order, or burnt ostrich feathers on net . . .'

Mary Jane Russell (1926-2003), the 'M. J. R.' of Girl Drinking, was a leading model of the 1940s and 1950s.  A native of Teaneck, New Jersey, she joined the Ford Model Agency in 1948.  For the next 13 years, she appeared on many Vogue and Harper's Bazaar magazine covers and worked with the most innovative fashion photographers of the 'New Look' era, including not only Irving Penn, but also Richard Avedon, William Klein, and Louise Dahl-Wolfe.