Fine Prints & Photography

October 2631, 2019
Auction begins to close at 2:00 pm ET

Online Auction
LOT 29

Lot 29

James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834-1903)

James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834-1903)
Lot 29 Details
James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834-1903), American

THE BROAD BRIDGE, 1878 [WAY, 8; SPINK, STRATIS & TEDESCHI, 11]

Lithograph ("Lithotint") printed in brown/black ink on smooth paper, signed with butterfly monogram in the plate lower right; with letters “Imp. T. Way Lond” in the plate to bottom right margin. Published in an unknown edition size. Published by Thomas Way for Piccadilly Magazine, issue No. 8, with wide margins.
Image/Sheet 7.2 x 11 in — 18.4 x 28 cm; 9.8 x 15 in — 25 x 38.2 cm

Estimate $3,000-$5,000

Realised: $3,300
Price Includes Buyer's Premium ?

Lot Report

Additional Images
James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834-1903)
  • James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834-1903)
  • James Abbott McNeill Whistler (1834-1903)
Provenance:

Inscribed on the verso “Bought at Sotheby’s 1892” (1.14 British pounds);
Kaspar Gallery, Toronto, called a "lithotint" gallery label and typed labels verso;
From whom purchased by Dr. & Mrs. Silverstein, Toronto

Literature:

Mervyn Levy, “Catalogue Raisonne, Whistler Lithographs”, plate 18 to gallery label verso

Note:

In 1878, the printer Mr. Thomas Way persuaded Whistler to make nine drawings, according to his son, T. R. Way, in his catalogue of Whistler's lithographs.

In the first five of these nine designs, Whistler experimented with the “lithotint” process. He delighted in working in this medium and from that project Whistler's interest and delight in the art of lithography never ceased.

Thomas Way lists 12 proof impressions, and "many hundreds" printed of this scene for the magazine Piccadilly. Spink, Stratis & Tedeschi cite only four proof impressions in public collections and only eight impressions from the published edition in Piccadilly in public collections.

“The Broad Bridge” was the only lithograph, from a proposed set of four, that was issued with the magazine Piccadilly before it went out of business two weeks after the issue was published. Since very few of the Piccadilly lithographs ("lithotints") are recorded in collections and few have surfaced at auction, the edition size was likely smaller than Way suggests. Three other Whistler lithographs intended for Piccadilly, but never published, include “Early Morning”; “The Toilet” and “The Tall Bridge”.

CONDITION DETAILS

For condition information please contact the specialist.

LOT 29
×

About Condition Ratings

  • 5 Stars: Excellent - No discernable damage, flaws or imperfections
  • 4 Stars: Very Good - Minor flaws or imperfections visible only under close inspection using specialised instruments or black light
  • 3 Stars: Good - Minor flaws visible upon inspection under standard lighting
  • 2 Stars: Fair - Exhibits flaws or damage that may draw the eye under standard lighting
  • 1 Star: Poor - Flaws or damage immediately apparent under standard lighting (examples: missing components, rips, broken glass, damaged surfaces, etc.)

Note: Condition ratings and condition details are the subjective opinions of our specialists and should be used as a guide only. Waddington’s uses due care when preparing condition details, however, our staff are not professional restorers or conservators. Condition details and reports are not warranties and each lot is sold “as is” in accordance with the buyer’s terms and conditions of sale. In all cases the prospective purchaser is responsible for inspecting the property themselves prior to placing a bid.