JOSEPH CHRISTIAN LEYENDECKER | Thanksgiving (Peeling Apples)

Estate of the artist
Private collection, 1952 (acquired from the above)
By descent to the present owner 

The Saturday Evening Post, November 28, 1925, cover illustration (© SEPS licensed by Curtis Licensing, Indianapolis, IN. All rights reserved.)
Michael Schau, J.C. Leyendecker, New York, 1974, illustrated p. 190
Jan Cohn, Covers of “The Saturday Evening Post:" Seventy Years of Outstanding Illustration from America’s Favorite Magazine, New York, 1995, illustrated p. 114
Laurence S. Cutler and Judy Goffman Cutler, J.C. Leyendecker: American Imagist, New York, 2008, illustrated p. 142

The following condition report has been provided by Simon Parkes, Simon Parkes Art Conservation, Inc. 502 East 74th St. New York, NY 212-734-3920, simonparkes@msn.com, an independent restorer who is not an employee of Sotheby's. This work is in good condition overall. The canvas is unlined. The paint layer is probably clean and has a fairly glossy varnish. There is a slightly raised diagonal crack running across the upper right corner, which does not interfere with the head of the figure, but the structure of the work is otherwise very well preserved. The work does not seem to be overcleaned or discolored in any way. Retouches read darkly under ultraviolet light. The halo around the bonnet which reads strongly under ultraviolet light seems to be original. There may be a few losses and scratches, particularly in the spandrels, but otherwise most of the retouches seem to be cosmetic in nature. While many of the retouches may not be necessary, the work is in good condition nonetheless.
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.

Please note this lot is accompanied by a copy of the November 28,1925 issue of The Saturday Evening Post, for which the present work served as the cover illustration.