Irving Penn

platinum-palladium print, flush-mounted to aluminum, signed, titled, dated, annotated, and editioned '15/18' in pencil and stamped on the reverse, framed, 1970, printed in 1979 (Platinum Prints, pl. 53)

Sotheby's New York, 26 April 1990, Sale 6004, Lot 381

This platinum-palladium print, on Rives paper, is in generally excellent condition. The tiny dark areas visible in the upper right portion of the image were present in the Sotheby's 1990 catalogue illustration, and may be buildup of emulsion. On the reverse of the mount are the following annotations by the photographer in pencil: '2018' (circled); '(New Guinea, 1970)'; 'Rives Paper on Aluminum'; and 'Multiple coating and printing: (1) Platinum-palladium (2) Platinum-palladium.' The edition stamp on the reverse indicates that in addition to the 18 numbered prints in platinum, there may also exist no more than 10 unnumbered, but signed, gelatin silver prints. The Condé Nast copyright stamp is dated in pencil '1974.'
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.