Irving Penn

platinum-palladium print, flush-mounted to aluminum, signed, dated, editioned '10/20,' and annotated in pencil, stamped, and with a typed caption and copyright label on the reverse, framed, a Pace/MacGill Gallery, New York, label on the reverse, 1960, printed in 1969 (Moments Preserved, p. 128; MoMA, pl. 13)

Pace/MacGill Gallery, New York

Turin, Galleria Civica d'Arte Moderna, I Platini di Irving Penn: 25 Anni di Fotografia, April-May 1975, and traveling to two other locations that year

This platinum-palladium print, mounted to aluminum, is in generally excellent condition. Upon very close examination, there is a tiny glossy deposit in the lower right corner and a rust-colored fox mark at the upper right corner. As is often seen in Penn's platinum prints, there is a pale yellow band around the perimeter of the margin that is slightly warmer in tone. In the margins, there are a few faint rust-colored fox marks, minor soiling in the lower right corner, and a light gray mark at the lower left, likely a result of multiple processing. The margin edges are worn. On the reverse of the mount are the following annotations in pencil: 'Wiggins-Teape Paper on aluminum,' 'multiple coating and printing,' '(1) platinum-palladium (2) platinum-palladium,' 'Print made May-August, 1969,' '297' [circled], 'L. D. IT,' and 'This print exhibited: Galleria Civica d'Arte Moderna, Torino / Galleria d'Arte Moderna, Bologna / The Photographer's Gallery, London / 1975 / I. P.' The edition stamp on the reverse indicates that in addition to the 20 numbered prints in platinum, there may also exist no more than 25 unnumbered, but signed, gelatin silver prints of this image. A 'Hand-coated by the photographer' stamp is on the reverse, as well as the following stamps that are partially cancelled in pencil: 'Deacidified 10 pH 8.5-9.5,' and 'There are also in existence a number of silver prints not exceeding.' Also on the reverse, there is a Condé Nast typed copyright label dated 1960. There are also adhesive remains in the corners, minor soiling, fingerprints and faint yellowing at the perimeter.
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.
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