Irving Penn

ferrotyped, mounted, cropping notations in ink and Moments Preserved use information in pencil on the mount, the photographer's credit/copyright/reproduction rights stamp, and Famous Photographers School lesson stamp, with letters and numbers in pencil and ink, on the reverse, framed, 1948, printed no later than 1964 (color variants: Vogue, July 1949, p. 45; Moments Preserved, p. 43; Still Life, unpaginated)

This print was produced no later than 1964, when the three volumes for the Famous Photographers Course were published. This ferrotyped contact print is mounted somewhat asymmetrically on white board, and is in generally good condition. The edges of the print are lightly rubbed. When examined in raking light, as is typical of the ferrotyping process, faint lines and scratches are visible. Also visible in raking light are some scuffing at the upper edge and barely perceptible raised areas where air or particles were trapped between the photograph and the mount during mounting. There are black ink 'crop' instructions and guide marks at the corners on the front of the mount. The following notation has been written in pencil on the lower portion of the mount: 'C (circled)' and 'see page 43 Moments Preserved.' The mount's edges are rubbed, and there is a pale rust-colored deposit near the upper left corner. On the reverse of the mount, there is faint adhesive staining, likely from a prior mounting. The FPS lesson notations on the reverse of the mount indicates that this print was possibly used or was considered for use in a quiz for the Famous Photographers Schools' Lesson 14 (Still Life Photography). It was not published as part of Lesson 14 on page 12, as the Lesson and page numbers on the reverse of the mount indicate. The lesson stamp on the back of the mount has annotations 'C' (circled), 'OK' (circled), 'S' (circled), and 'A_____[unintelligible] Tech' in pencil.
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.