Peter Beard

a unique object, chromogenic print, signed, titled, dated, annotated, and inscribed by the photographer in ink, signed by Mathenge Kivoi in black and white inks, and illustrated extensively with paint and ink on the image, framed, circa 1988, assembled circa 1998

Gift of the photographer, 1998

This unique work is in generally excellent condition. As is typical of Peter Beard's heavily illustrated photographs, soft handling creases are visible in raking light overall, which do not appear to break the emulsion and are primarily visible only under raking light. There are two thin scratches with associated emulsion loss at the upper center near the edge measuring 1/4 and 1/2-inches. The inscription at the upper center in black ink reads: 'to Margot & Peter / Ndarakwai / Ranch / West Kilimanjaro / (Mt. of Caravans) / Tanganyika / xx from P.B. / April 1st 1998.' There is an inscription in white ink at the lower left corner that reads: 'Hog Ranch / By Kivoi Mathenge / Feb 1998' and an inscription in black ink at the lower right corner that reads: 'Hog Ranch / By Mathenge Kivoi / Feb 1998.' The annotation in black ink at the center left reads: 'Mt. Kilimanjaro / Mountain of caravans / Slave Caravans / ...now home of the Elephant Problem / Amboseli & beyond / Peter Beard / Hog Ranch / Box 47616 / Nairobi / Kenya.' The annotation at the upper left in black ink reads: 'Of the lion, the leopard, and his other flesh-eating neighbors he went in no fear, for the flesh of his mighty carcass was above their daring. And so his peaceful career might have continued, had it not occurred to some cunning mortal to invent that magic dust called gunpowder. James Greenwood "Wild Sports of the World" 1894.' The reverse is soiled and has a few stray ink and paint deposits.
"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."