CHILDE HASSAM (1859-1955)

Washington's Birthday--Fifth Avenue and 23d Street (Cortissoz-Clayton 68)

Details

CHILDE HASSAM (1859-1955)
Washington's Birthday--Fifth Avenue and 23d Street (Cortissoz-Clayton 68)
etching, 1916, on laid paper, watermark J. Whatman 1816, a very good impression of the first state (of two), signed with the cipher and inscribed 'imp.' in pencil, one of approximately 10 impressions in this state, with wide margins, a small and unobtrusive abrasion (skillfully touched) at top, pale mat staining and some surface soiling in the margins and on the reverse, pale staining at the top margin edge showing mostly on the reverse, otherwise in good condition, framed
P. 12 7/8 x 7 1/16in. (327 x 179mm.)

Lot Essay

Just as Hassam would often use old bible paper for his prints, here he used a sheet of paper from an accountant's ledger book. The old hand-ruled ink lines appear in the margins of this impression. The image is reminiscent of Hassam's famous series of paintings depicting Fifth Avenue decorated with the flags of America's World War I allies.