Ross Eberman (sold: Sotheby Parke Bernet, Los Angeles, October 5, 1981, lot 263)
Private collection, California
By descent in the family to the present owner

Laurie Norton Moffatt, Norman Rockwell: A Definitive Catalogue, vol. I, Stockbridge, Massachusetts, 1986, no. C466c, p. 195, illustrated p. 194

Creases from artist's fold along vertical and horizontal axes, a 16 inch faint diagonal crease in left edge, a 5 inch scratch in girl's skirt, a few small water spots near girl's feet, a few minor tears where paper is joined in right side, paper buckles slightly above girl's head, several pinholes that were likely made by the artist, some paper discoloration.
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.

"A note from the school principal awaited Mary Whalen when she returned from a fourth-grade class outing one afternoon. Frightened, she begged her twin brother Peter to accompany her to the office to see what the charges against her would be. To her relief she discovered that it was simply a message from Mr. Rockwell saying he'd arranged with her parents to pick her up that afternoon for a photo session. At the studio she found Mr. Rockwell in excellent humor, laughing heartily over his funny cover idea as he showed her the sketch. He literally rolled on the floor with laugher as he urged her to produce a big smile for the camera, and her broad devilish grin came easily. Rockwell had greater difficulty with the feet, and spent another session photographing only her shoes and socks. But the biggest chore was the black eye. He applied charcoal over Mary's eye, without satisfaction. Then he applied makeup, but was unable to obtain the accurate color and uneven swelling of a real black eye. Finally, he wrote about his dilemma in the newspaper, announcing that he would pay $5.00 for a genuine black eye. The item was picked up by the wire services and overnight he was offered several hundred black eyes from prisons and football teams. He eventually selected one belonging to a boy nearby. Success was achieved when he painted the real black eye over Mary Whalen's unblemished one, giving him precisely the convincing effect he was after" (Susan Meyer, Norman Rockwell's People, 1981, p. 152-153).