Jack B. Yeats, R.H.A.

single leaf, 380 x 320mm., printed in black, red, blue and green, caption added by hand by Jack B. Yeats, laid-down to board

Very slight browning
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This appears to be an early trial printing of an aborted project (although the title A Broad Sheet was used later) from 1901.

Pyle notes that Jack B. Yeats told John Quinn, 'I had a weird thing called the Broad Sheet two years ago, just stencils that I used to print myself...' (see Pyle, The Different Worlds of Jack B. Yeats, His Cartoons and Illustrations, 1994, p. 32). It appears that Reading University Library holds an issue on a pirate theme.

In this copy, there are six woodcut or stencil printings together with some letterpress (at times indistinct). It appears that Jack B. Yeats was experimenting on a piscine theme with two titles reading ‘The Fishman in the Orchard’ and ‘The Jolly Signboard for an Angler’. Another illustration has an indistinct title and Yeats has added by hand, ‘This trout weighing all but half a pound was caught May 1901 – by a younger brother of Isaac Walton Esq.’ One illustration comprises the author's monogram signature.