Michael Ayrton

Hollis S. Baker, and thence by descent to the present owners

Plate I: Not viewed out of the frame. The sheet appears to be laid onto card. There is a slight undulation to the sheet. There are some light creases to the sheet towards the right vertical edge. There are two pinholes at the upper left corner, which appear to be inkeeping with the artist's working method. There are some areas of craquelure and reticulation in the gouache and ink, with some very small possible losses. There is some very light surface dirt across the work. Subject to the above, the work appears to be in good overall condition. Ultraviolet light reveals no obvious signs of fluorescence or retouching. Plate II: Not viewed out of the frame. The sheet appears to be laid onto card. There is some very light surface dirt across the work. Subject to the above, the work appears to be in very good overall condition. Ultraviolet light reveals no obvious signs of fluorescence or retouching. Plate III: The sheet appears to be laid onto card. There are two pinholes at the upper left corner, which appear to be inkeeping with the artist's working method. There is some very light surface dirt across the work. Subject to the above, the work appears to be in very good overall condition. Ultraviolet light reveals no obvious signs of fluorescence or retouching. Plate IV: Not viewed out of the frame. The sheet appears to be laid onto card. There is a slight undulation to the sheet. There are several light creases to the sheet, most apparent at the bottom right corner and a further crease from the left hand vertical side towards the centre of the figure's chest. There is some very light surface dirt across the work. Subject to the above, the work appears to be in good overall condition. Ultraviolet light reveals no obvious signs of fluorescence or retouching. Plate V: Not viewed out of the frame. The sheet appears to be laid onto card. There are some light creases to the sheet. There are several pinholes at the upper left corner, which appear to be inkeeping with the artist's working method. There is some very light surface dirt across the work. Subject to the above, the work appears to be in good overall condition. Ultraviolet light reveals no obvious signs of fluorescence or retouching. Plate VI: Not viewed out of the frame. The sheet appears to be laid onto card. There are some light creases to the sheet. There are two pinholes at the upper right corner, which appear to be inkeeping with the artist's working method. There is some very light surface dirt across the work. Subject to the above, the work appears to be in good overall condition. Ultraviolet light reveals no obvious signs of fluorescence or retouching. Plate VII: Not viewed out of the frame. The sheet appears to be laid onto card. There is a slight undulation to the sheet. There are several pinholes at the upper left corner, which appear to be inkeeping with the artist's working method. There is some very light surface dirt across the work. Subject to the above, the work appears to be in good overall condition. Ultraviolet light reveals no obvious signs of fluorescence or retouching. Each work is framed and glazed, presented in matching painted wooden frames. Please telephone the department on +44 (0) 207 293 6424 if you have any questions regarding the present work.
"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."

Together with six further Drawings for Dorian Gray by the Artist, plates II to VII.