Gilbert Cahen-Salvador, London (sale: Sotheby's, London, 31st March 1965, lot 6)
L. Rosen (purchased at the above sale; sale: Sotheby's, Paris, 13th December 2007, lot 71)
Purchased at the above sale by the present owner

Executed on cream wove paper, laid down by the artist on buff-coloured wove paper. There are two small nailhead-sized areas of paper skinning to the upper centre and towards the upper right corner. There are several artist's pinholes, some light glue remnants and some very thin scratches to the dark brown paper collage on the right of the composition, all intrinsic to the artist's process. Apart from a vertical fold, with associated discolouration, to the centre of the work and some light studio dirt, this work is in very good condition. Colours: Overall fairly accurate in the printed catalogue, although the paper tone is more subtle and the whites are brighter in the original.
"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."

The composition of the present work was subsequently made into a lithograph and used as the cover for the original edition of René Char's Cinq Poesies en Hommage à Georges Braque, Geneva, 1958.