Lot 1821
‡STANLEY ANDERSON, CBE, RA (1884-1966)
SHEEP SHEARING
Engraving, 1941, signed, titled and inscribed Line engraving in pencil, unframed
19 x 15cm;
with a duplicate, unsigned, without blindstamp, unframed; and the accompanying leaflet presented with the print by the publishers. (3)
* The print bears the blindstamp of the Chicago Society of Etchers, who were the publishers. The subject had a much more chaotic evolution than the bucolic theme suggests. Wartime shortages made quality printing paper a rare commodity and the availability of a master printer a rarer one still. The vessel on which the 350 proofs travelled across the Atlantic was torpedoed and all the prints were lost. A second, steel-faced edition was then despatched four months later by clipper but at considerable expense. James Swann, the Society's Secretary and Treasurer, assured subscribers that "only sufficient copies were made for our associate members.. No print is available except through membership in the Society." One can only hope that each recipient was aware of the complexities and costs of putting the final print into their hands.
