Irving Penn

platinum-palladium print, flush-mounted to aluminum, signed, dated, annotated, and editioned '26/34' in pencil and stamped on the reverse, framed, 1972, printed in 1974 (Passage, p. 206; Master Images, pl. 47; Platinum Prints, pl. 73)

Acquired from Marlborough Gallery, New York, 1980

This print, in an acrylic box frame with a cream-colored linen-wrapped one-inch thick board base, is in generally excellent condition. There is a thin line of a faint, pale rust-colored deposit along the upper margin edge of the paper where it meets the alumnum. This is typical of Irving Penn's aluminum-mounted platinum-palladium prints. Additionally, when examined closely, there are 2 1/8-to-1/4-inch similarly-colored areas at the lower right and lower left margin edges. These do not affect the print and are not particularly noticeable. The mounting is somewhat complex. The print, which appears to be floating in the frame, is resting on what appears to be an approximately 20-by-14-inch box mount fashioned from strips of mat or illustration board. The reverse of the print is affixed at the corners of the box mount, as well as in-between the corners, with intermittent deposits of adhesive. It appears to be open in the center, where the photograph's signature, edition, title, and copyright are.
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.