signed in pencil on the image, signed, titled, and annotated 'Confession of non-participation, the artist furnished merely the glue' in pencil on the reverse, circa 1935

Christie's New York, 18 April 2001, Sale 9618, Lot 91

This striking photograph, on double-weight paper with a surface sheen, is in generally very good to excellent condition. Uneven age-appropriate silvering is visible, primarily in the dark areas of the image. Upon close examination, a few tiny deposits of original retouching are visible. The creases in the upper left and right corners appear to break the emulsion, and there is a tiny loss of emulsion at the upper edge. On the reverse of the print, paper and adhesive remnants along the upper edge suggest a previous mounting or matting. The reverse of the print is annotated 'COLLAGE' and 'Collection privé' by the photographer, and the number '10' (circled) in an unidentified hand in pencil.
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.

The photograph offered here depicts Man Ray's 'Collage ou l'âge de la colle,' constructed in 1935 at his home in Paris.  Composed of found objects such as a T-square, stencil, and photographs, the configuration was the result of Man Ray's housekeeper's particular system of organization for dusting.  As Lee Miller, Man Ray's lover and student, recounted, '. . . he looked at this beautiful arrangement that she had made, which was the key to her memory of how to put them back. . . And he left it the way it was and poured glue all over the whole thing and framed it' (quoted in Mario Amaya, 'My Man Ray,' Art in America, May-J꧂une, 1975, p. 59).  In 1975, Man Ray reproduced this object in an edition of 3.  The present photograph, however, is of the original 1935 collage.

Sotheby's wishes to than𒅌k Steven Manford for his assistance in researching th🅰is photograph.