IRVING PENN | 'Vogue Christmas Cover (New York)'

mounted, signed, initialed, titled, dated, and annotated 'black and white print made from color' in ink and stamped on the reverse, framed, a Norton Museum of Art exhibition label on the reverse, 1949, printed before 1959, one from an edition of no more than 11 gelatin silver prints 

Pace/MacGill Gallery, New York, 2004

Palm Beach, Norton Museum of Art, Cocktail Culture, December 2011 - April 2012

Vogue, 15 November 1949, cover, illustrated in color Irving Penn, Moments Preserved: Eight Essays: in Photographs and Words (New York, 1960), p. 143

This photograph is in generally excellent condition. Tiny spots and dust visible upon very close inspection appear to be in the negative and not features of the print. The extreme left edge of the print is slightly darker where a mat covered the photograph. In high raking light the following are visible: a few faint impressions in the upper right quadrant; and very thin hairline scratches, mainly in the darkest areas. On the reverse of the mount are linen tape remnants at the edges. The following is written by the photographer in ink on the reverse: 'black and white print made from color,' 'Print made before 1959,' and 'Ref 7446.' In addition to the photographer's credit and copyright stamps [annotated 'Renewed 1977' in ink], another stamp reads as follows: 'signed, silver prints of this negative not exceeding 11 [in ink].'
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.

Between 1943 and 2004, Irving Penn’s photographs were featured on 165 covers of Vogue magazine.  The present portrait of model Jean Patchett was illustrated in vibrant color on the cover in November 1949.