Alexander Calder

James Thrall Soby, New York
Raymond M. Wapner, Antiquarian Bookseller's International, Inc., New York
Acquired by the present owner from the above, 1993

Eric M. Zafran, Calder in Connecticut, New York, 2000 (other collages illustrated figures 31 and 32)

This work is sold unframed. Sheet has experienced significant crumpling and creasing, with associated tears and some losses. Also, discoloration. These factors have been largely corrected by recent expert restoration, which has stabilized the condition.
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.

The highilght of the 1935/6 social season was undoubtedly the Hartford Festival, a series of events at the Wadsworth Atheneum orchestrated by its flamboyant director, Chick Austin, and climaxing  with the Paper Ball.  Guests appeared in costumes fashioned from paper: Calder was 'commissioned' by James Thrall Soby (of the Museum of Modern Art, New York) for his entourage, in which Calder was included. 
Shortly after the Ball, Chick Austin and his assistant Eleanor Howland each received special collage drawings from Calder, incorporating random bits of paper and photographic portraits. The present work is conceptually related to these works (it was owned by James Thrall Soby) although the theme refers to the artists' colony in Woodstock, New York: the fingers are composed of collaged photographs of artists Yasuo Kuniyoshi, Alexander Brooks, Reginald Marsh, Sydney Laufman and Eugene Speicher, all friends of Calder; the Calder Foundation has posited that the woman, "Scent Constance", was Marion Greenwood.
This work is registered in the archives of the Calder Foundation, New York, under application number A23055.