cf. S. Lami, Dictionnaire des Sculptures de l'Ecole Frainçaise, Paris, 1910
cf. Charles H. Hart and Edward Biddle, Memoirs of the Life and Works of Jean-Antoine Houdon The Sculptor of Voltaire and Washington, Philadelphia, 1911
cf. Joseph Breck, "Three Busts by Houdon," Bulletin of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, vol. 3, New York, December 1912, pp. 224-225
cf. Florence Ingersoll-Smouse, "Houdon en Amérique," Revue de l'Art Ancien et Moderne, vol. 35, April 1914
cf. George Giacometti, La Vie et L'Oeuvre, Paris 1928, two volumes
cf. Louis Réau, Houdon, Sa Vie et Son Ouvre, Paris 1962, two volumes
cf. Charles Coleman Sellers, Benjamin Franklin in Portraiture, Hartford, 1962
cf. Claude-Anne Lopez, Mon Cher Papa Franklin and the Ladies of Paris, New Haven and London, 1966
cf. H. H. Arnason, The Sculptures of Houdon, New York, 1975
cf. William B. Willcox (ed.), The Papers of Benjamin Franklin, vols. 26-32, New Haven and London, 1987-1996

Good condition, ¼ inch pit in the top of the head, some surface dirt, chip to hair on right side, minor chip to base and a few other scratches and chips apparent, brownish red staining on lower front edge of bust.
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.