234 - Mark Tobey (1890–1976)

Mark Tobey (1890–1976) Meanders, 1976 — Plate II Proof for the Meanders portfolio Color silkscreen print on Arches vellum Monogrammed “T” in pencil in the lower right corner by the artist, indicating approval of the proof. No other markings: as this is a working proof, it bears neither the publisher’s dry stamp nor the stamp and signature found on the reverse of the final print. Dimensions: + Sheet: 50.3 × 65.8 cm (19 3/4 × 25 7/8 in.) Condition: Good condition. A few pinholes and handling creases. The reverse is not blank: it bears the impression of a work by another, unidentified artist, as the printer reused the sheet for this proof. Printed and published by Edition Lanz, Basel. Intermediate color state: crimson with partial black overprint. This is one of the proofs that Edition Lanz submitted to Tobey during the production of *Meanders*. Tobey examined each proof and approved it by affixing his monogram “T” in pencil. These proofs are therefore the only copies of *Meanders* signed by Tobey himself: he died on April 24, 1976, before the print run was produced, and the edition of 77 numbered copies was published posthumously with the artist’s stamp in place of his signature and Mark Ritter’s signature on the reverse. The proofs were printed on sheets of Arches paper that had already been printed on the reverse side with another artist’s work—the printer evidently not wanting to waste valuable paper on test prints—and they bear neither a dry stamp nor a seal on the reverse. Only a handful of these monogrammed proofs exist, making them extremely rare.