Zichy, Mihály.

14 pen and ink drawings on paper (with some pencil sketching visible underneath), each approx. 280 x 225mm., two drawings with letters on the verso by Zichy addressed to Géza [Zichy], one dated 19 January 1880 in Nice, and another drawing with "A leanyvari boszorkany │Zichy Géza [--]" in a different hand (Géza's?) on the verso

Géza Zichy, Aus meinem Leben, zweiter Band (Stuttgart, 1913), pp.79-82

Condition is desribed in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"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."

A leanyvari boszorkany [The witch of Leanyvar] (Budapest: Athenaeum, 1881) was a poetical tale written by Géza Zichy (1849-1924), a Hungarian composer and a friend of Lizst, and a cousin of the artist Mihály Zichy (1827-1906). Géza mentions Mihály's illustrations for his book in his autobiography, in which three of Mihály's illustrations are reproduced; these present drawings were preliminary studies for the publication (indeed a few are even marked as "I. terv." or "II. terv.", i.e. tervezet, "draft"), as the final drawings are slightly less sketchy and are signed and dated by Mihály, although almost identical in composition to these sketches.

Mihály's letters to Géza on the back of the drawings discuss the composition of the drawings and their relationship to different sections of the text, and indicate that several versions were produced of which only some would be published. He also mentions the technicalities and costs of production.

Géza Zichy's book is rare. Copies are recorded in Debrecen and Szeged, but we have not found any located outside Hungary. It is therefore unclear how many of these 14 drawings appeared in the printed book.