IRVING PENN | 'Woman on the Beach, Smoking (Mary Jane Russell, Long Island, N. Y.)'

platinum-palladium print, flush-mounted to aluminum, signed, initialed, titled, dated, editioned '5/9,' and annotated in pencil and stamped on the reverse, framed, 1949, printed in 1990

Christie's London, 31 May 2007, Sale 7393, Lot 20

This platinum-palladium print, on carillon paper and mounted to aluminium, is in generally excellent condition. Pencil marks and scattered tiny deposits of indeterminate nature are visible at the extreme edge of the left margin.The reverse of the mount is slightly age-darkened at the edges. The following is written by the photographer in pencil: '3255,' and 'Carillon paper on aluminium platinum-palladium print made 1990.' In addition to the photographer's credit and copyright stamps, two other stamps read as follows: 'Hand coated by the photographer,' and 'in addition to 9 [in pencil] numbered prints of this image in platinum metal, unnumbered, but signed, silver prints not exceeding a total of 0 [in pencil] may exist.'
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.