Estimates do not reflect the final hammer price and do not include buyer's premium, any applicable taxes or artist's resale right. Please see the Conditions of Sale for full details.
The present work is a portrait of William Burroughs. Ray Johnson traced his silhouette on May 15, 1976 as part of his Silhouette Project. The smaller, purple portrait within the wider work is a silhouette of William "Terry" Kistler, a poet and collector. The present work is coming from Galen Williams, the founder of Poets & Writers and former director of the 92nd Street Y Poet's Center.
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You have agreed to be bound by the Conditions of Sale and if your bid is successful, you are legally obliged to pay for the lot you have won. The purchase price for a successful bid will be the sum of your final bid plus a buyer’s premium, any applicable taxes and any artist resale royalty, exclusive of shipping-related expenses.
Condition report
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The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.
The board is fully mounted to a board that is hinged to another backing board at the corner tips and edges. Minor wear and rubbing are to the extreme edges, possibly vestiges of the artist's working method. The paper collage elements have shifted slightly in tone. Pinpoint spots of foxing are scattered to the backing board, not affecting the image. There is no apparent inpainting under ultraviolet light.
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Lot 55Sale 21976
UntitledRAY JOHNSON (1927-1995)Estimate: USD 6,000 - 8,000
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