Baron Adolf de Meyer

large-format, flush-mounted to brown-paper-backed board, matted, 1927

Collection of Baron Adolf de Meyer

By descent to his son, Ernest, 1946

Bekins, Los Angeles

Private collection, acquired from the above at a sale of unclaimed property

Sotheby Parke Bernet, The Collection of Baron de Meyer, 20 October 1980, Sale 4437, Lot 89

Acquired by the present owner from the above

Another print of this image:

Harper's Bazar, September 1927, p. 66

This luminous, slightly warm-toned gelatin silver print, on a platinum-like matte-surface paper, is in generally excellent condition. The corners are rounded due to wear and the lower left corner is chipped, resulting in a loss of paper and emulsion. The edges are slightly worn and there are a few minor chips along the top edge. There is a pencil-point area that is white in color, with white pin-point specks (all of indeterminate nature) surrounding it, in the upper left quadrant. There is a barely visible 6-inch line on the upper portion of the print that appears to be in the negative. The photographer has deftly accentuated certain areas of the image with pigment: along the subject's back, along the wall behind the sitter, across the floor boards in three places. The reverse of this print is in generally excellent condition. There are small, very minor nicks throughout, none of which affects the image. There is a one-inch strip that is abraded along the top edge, from a previous, and probably larger, contemporary mount.
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 photograph offered here was published in the September 1927 issue of Harper's Bazaar, in an article devoted to new trends in fashion for the coming fall season.  The 'New Beige Wall Fabric from Rodier,' with its geometric, Art Deco shapes of waves and circles, perfectly complements the sleek dress and coif of the model.  The year 1927 was the heyday of Art Deco style, in fashion as well as in the visual and decorative arts, architecture, and industrial design.

The House of Rodier was founded in 1848, and was known above all for its luxurious and innovative fabrics.  Its looms were hand-operated by master weavers, and its patterns were distinguished by rich textures, colors, and fine detail.  Rodier was especially noted for its wool textiles and knits, championed by the couturiers Jean Patou and Coco Chanel. 

The photograph offered here, like those in Lots 12 and 109, comes originally from the celebrated sale of de Meyer photographs held in these rooms in 1980.  Like the print of 'The Cup' offered as Lot 12 in the present catalogue, 'A New Beige Wall Fabric from Rodier' was one of the few important images in large-format size that were included in that sale.  For more information, please see Lot 12.