Edward Steichen

oversized, flush-mounted, with annotations, possibly by the photographer, in green crayon and stamped 'Official U. S. Navy Photograph' on the reverse, framed, 1943, probably printed in the 1950s (Alexander Liberman, 'Steichen's Eye,' Vogue, August 1959, p. 39; Steichen at War, pp. 104-5)

This early oversized print is on lightly-textured nearly matte-surface paper. It is flush-mounted to brown 4-ply board and is in essentially excellent condition. Only visible in raking light are a scattering of tiny matte deposits of indeterminate nature and a few small scuffs in the upper-central portion of the image. The print is trimmed to the image, and it is rubbed at the periphery with some resultant chipping. The reverse of the mount is appropriately age-darkened. There are abrasions to the upper paper-ply and liquid deposits of indeterminate nature also on the reverse, neither of which disturbs the print. The following is written in green crayon: 'TR-8387' and 'Infra red photo of Island (Lex.),' possibly in Steichen's hand. Accompanying this photograph are pages 38 and 39 from the August 1959 issue of 'Vogue' on which this image is reproduced. When examined with ultraviolet light, this print appears to fluoresce very slightly.
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.