Description

SYLVAN COLE'S OWN COMPLETE SET OF THE FOUR BISHOP PORTFOLIOS HE PUBLISHED (AS DIRECTOR OF ASSOCIATED AMERICAN ARTISTS AND LATER AS OWNER OF THE SYLVAN COLE GALLERY), WITH A TOTAL OF 32 ORIGINAL ETCHINGS BY ISABEL BISHOP, 16 SIGNED IN PENCIL AND 16 WITH A STAMPED SIGNATURE. Cole, the dean of American print dealers, was a close friend of Bishop's and supervised the compilation of Teller's catalogue raisonne of her prints. He kept these portfolios in his private collection until his death. ***** Four portfolios, each containing eight original etchings by Bishop, each in its own folder. Each portfolio is from a total edition of 60, all printed on fine Rives wove paper. ***** The first portfolio (1981) is copy number 2 (signed by Bishop under the justification), copy number 1 having been given to the artist. ***** The second portfolio (1985) is one of only 7 sets of artist's proofs, with a signed presentation inscription from the artist to Sylvan Cole. ***** The third and fourth portfolios (1989) are the unique sets of bons à tirer (BATs). Since the BATs must be printed before the prints can be editioned, THESE ARE THE VERY FIRST PROOFS PRINTED. ***** Folio. Loose as issued. FINE AND BRIGHT, with no defects. In the original cloth clamshell cases (a little trivial wear to two of the cases). ***** IMPORTANT NOTE: During March, 2006, hundreds of prints represented as being from "the Sylvan Cole collection" were sold at public auction. In fact, ALL of these items were from his leftover gallery inventory, not his private collection. As far as I know, the few items I offer from Sylvan's collection are the ONLY items anywhere on the market which are actually from his private collection (which he kept in his apartment, not his gallery). I acquired them all directly from Sylvan (my uncle), mainly in spring, 2005.