LAURENCE STEPHEN LOWRY, R.A. | The Railway Steps, Ramsbottom

Gifted by the Artist to Percy Warburton, and thence by descent to the present owner

Salford, The Lowry, short-term loan, February 2017 - August 2018.

The sheet is attached to a backing sheet with two strips of adhesive tape along the upper edge. This backing sheet is, in turn, attached to the mount with a strip of adhesive tape along the upper edge. The left edge is deckled or slightly unevenly cut and the lower edge is slightly unevenly cut, most likely in keeping with the Artist's working methods, and not visible in the present mount. There are Artist's pinholes to the upper corners, with an associated loss at the upper left corner, and possibly further pinholes to the lower corners, none of which are visible in the present mount. The sheet undulates very slightly in places. There is a very faint and small horizontal scuff towards the upper right corner. There are a few scattered very faint flecks of foxing, only visible upon close inspection, and staining to the extreme edges, most likely due to a previous mount and not visible in the current presentation. There is some possible time staining to the sheet, some light surface dirt and one or two instances of studio detritus or surface matter. This excepting, the work appears in excellent overall condition, with strong and fresh passages of pencil throughout. The work is window mounted and held behind glass in a simple wooden frame. 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."

A tutor of Lowry’s at Salford School of Art, Percy Warburton struck up a close friendship with his student that lasted until Warburton’s death in 1969. Lowry liked him as a tutor ‘because he let me get on with it’, and the artist became a regular visitor to the Warburtons’ home in Holcombe Brook, near Bury, on one occasion borrowing a box of watercolours from Percy’s daughter to try them out. Warburton later became Head of The School of Art in Bury, and persuaded Lowry to become President of The Bury Art Society. Please also see lot 151.