Sloan, John. FUN, ONE CENT. Etching, 1905. Morse 131. 2d (published) state. One of the plates from the New York City Life Series. Edition 100, only 60 printed, this being one of an unknown number printed by Peters Brothers, and thus included in the 35 "early" prints noted by Morse. Titled signed, inscribed "100 Proofs, all in pencil, and further inscribed "Peters Brother, imp." near the lower left edge, where there is also the number "20," which is likely its original price. A very rich impression with plate tone. 5 x 7 inches. 127x178mm.(Plate), 9 5/8 x 12 1/16 inches (sheet). Framed to 11 1/4 x 13 inches, with Kraushaar Galleries' and Ebsworth's labels, verso. In excellent condition.Provenance: Collection of Barney A. Ebsworth, St Louis, MO., with his label on the frame verso, Krashaar Galleries, NY, with its label, frame verso. (Ebsworth, 1934-2018) was an American business executive who built a significant art collection. He was a Trustee of the St Louis and Seattle Art Museums, a Commissioner of the Smithsonian Institution, and a member of the Trustees Council and Chair of the Collecrors Committee of the National Gallery of Art).Richard and Gustav Peters were the first commercial printers that Sloan used, and they did most of his printing for more than 35 years. Morse says "The Peters' flawless impressions from Sloan's plates show the high quality of their craftsmanship. In general, the plates have noticeable ink tone left. The printer's careful hand-wiping had darkened and lightened the surface where appropriate, often giving strong contrasts. Some of Sloan's notes on the prints show that he depended to some etent on this kind of expert handling by the printer to achieve some of his effects." (Morse, page 4).
