Cadmus, Paul. American 1904-1999. PORTRAIT OF A MAN WITH A BEARD by Paul Cadmus. Drypoint, 1924. Plate 7 7/8 x 5 7/8 inches; 197 x 150 mm.; sheet 11 x 8 3/4 inches. Signed and dated "1923" in the plate. Inscribed "To John" and signed in pencil, and dated "33," with the second three overwritten with a "4," lower right. A very early portrait etching, not recorded in Davenport's Catalogue Raisonne, and pre-dating Davenport 1-5, which were executed in 1924. At that time Cadmus was studying printmaking with William Auerbach-Levy at the National Academy of Design. There is no indication of an edition, and it is likely that as with Davenport 1 through 32, there were only a few proofs. Two clean lateral tears, and a hole, all well repaired, the tears extending about 2 1/2 inches from the left sheet edge into the blank area of the image, and the hole in the sheet, both within and outside the plate mark at left, also in the blank area. The paper brittle, with losses at the lower left corner and in the sheet edge, right. Mounted to Japanese tissue for support. Very rare.
