Edward Weston

on a tan mount, with a hand-ruled pencil border, signed, dated, initialed and editioned '3/50' in pencil on the mount, titled and numbered '16V' and annotation in pencil on the reverse, 1929 (Conger 561; Heiting, p. 111)

Acquired from the photographer by Benjamin H. Lehman, professor at the University of California, Berkeley, circa 1930

By descent to Hal and Nora Lehman

This rare early print, on semi-glossy paper and a tan mount with hand-ruled pencil border, is in generally good condition. significant silvering and some slight attendant discoloration is visible on the print's edges. this does not detract in a significant way from the overwhelmingly fine appearance of this robust print. The tan mount is lightly soiled and age-darkened. The edges are rubbed, and the corners, each of which have pinholes, are bumped, with small losses at the lower tips. There is a tideline, in three segments, at the lower edge of the mount. There is a 3/4-inch band of slight fading on the mount around the edge of the photograph. The reverse of the mount is age-darkened and lightly soiled. The title, 'Egg Plant,' is in Weston's hand. '16V' and 'Leahman [sic] 3/8' are in unidentified hands in pencil. While Weston recorded 8 prints of '16V' in his negative log, and lists 3 of them as 'Destroyed,' Conger locates only 3 prints in these institutional collections: Center for Creative Photography, Tucson; The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City; and the University of California, Santa Cruz, this last a Project Print. Prints from this series rarely appear at auction, and at the time of this writing it is believed that only two early prints of '16V' have previously been offered.
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.