Henri Matisse

The complete book, comprising twenty pochoirs printed in colors after collages and paper designs, signed in pencil and numbered 193, from the book edition of 270 (there was also a portfolio edition of 100), published by Tériade, Paris, 1947, the full sheets, printed to the edges, in good condition apart from occasional foxing, slight damp stain, minor time stain at the sheet edges, contained in the original paper-covered boards and slipcase, slight surface soiling

The book is in good condition. Most sheets with time stain at the sheet edges and scattered foxing. Detailed condition notes are as follows: Clown: In good condition. Slight scuffs in the blue, the colors very strong. Le Cirque: Slight fox marks in the margins, at the sheet edges. There is a very soft diagonal crease at lower right. M. Loyal: The blue ink is mottled in the lower left due to damp stain. Le Couchemar de L'Elephant Blanc: The colors very bright. A few scattered fox marks at left, very minor scratches in the black, visible only in raking light. Le Cheval: Colors very bright, damp stain in the lower sheet has mottled the blue ink and darkened the paper tone on the verso. There are pale black scuff marks at the left sheet edge and the lower sheet edge at right. Slight creases at the extreme sheet corners and a few pale fox marks. Le Loup: Pale fox marks in the unprinted area at center. The blue has faded slightly with occasional scratches. Le Couer: Occasional pale fox marks, visible mainly in the margins and unprinted areas. There is additional grey scuffing in the right sheet. Icarus: The blue has faded slightly. Formes: Damp stain has mottled the ink at upper and lower right and darkened the paper tone on the verso. Very pale mottled foxing is also visible on recto and verso. L'Enterement: The strong pink along the lower border is bleeding into the unprinted area, and visible on the verso, suggesting possible damp stain. At left the pink is mottled. Occasional fox marks appear in the margins and on the verso. Les Codemas: The colors are fresh and strong. Le Nageuse dans L'aquarium: The margins have a few faint fox marks and dark grey discoloration at the left sheet edge. The verso has slight discoloration at the right sheet edge, suggesting possible damp stain, but it is not visible on the recto. L'Avaleur des Sabres: There are two pale spots in the dark pink and the blue at right is slightly faded/scuffed. The pink is also slightly seeping into the unprinted areas where they meet. Le Cow-boy: There are minor instances of pale "reverse foxing" in the bottom of the black figures. Pale, tiny fox marks appear in the unprinted area, as well as a single dark mark in the yellow at top. Slight scuff marks are visible in the blue. Le Lanceur de Couteaux: The light blue at right is fading slightly and turning faintly pink. Le Destin: In good condition. Le Lagon: Pale fox marks appear at center fold and in the unprinted area at far left. Dark discoloration - some sort of darker mold or foxing - appears at upper left corner and along the upper sheet edge. La Lagon: There is faint discoloration above the pink seaweed to the left of center fold, and 2-3 fox marks throughout the sheet which are generally unobtrusive. Le Lagon: The blue areas are slightly scuffed, with additional scuffing and associated soiling in the unprinted area at right Le Tobogan: Pale scattered foxing, visible mainly in upper and right margins. The blue ink is slightly mottled in appearance.
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.