Sloan, John (American, 1871–1951). SUNBATHERS ON THE ROOF. M.307. Etching, 1941. Edition of 175. Titled and signed in pencil, and also signed in the plate. Commissioned by the American College Society of Print Collectors The edition of 175 was necessary to meet the need for distribution to its members, and so exceeded Sloan's usual limitation of "100 proofs." Printed on laid paper. 6 x 7 inches (plate), 8 1/2 x 10 5/8 inches (sheet). Framed to 13 x 12 3/4 inches. Residue of old hinging at the upper corners, else in excellent condition. With the collector's stamp of Forrest Chesney Campbell, St. Joseph, MO., verso. Campbell (1888-1979) was a prominent citizen of St. Jospeh; his wife was a relative of N. C. Wyeth.Sloan's comments about this etching, quoted by Morse: "Twenty years during which my summers were spent in Santa Fe lessened my opportunities of studying New York life at its best in the summer. This etching, done mmany years after most of my New York plates is, I think,of equal merit."In the Spring as the rays grow warmer, the tenement roof in New York begin to come to life. More washes are hung out -- gay colored underthings flap in the breezes, and on Saturdays and Sundays girls and emn in bathing togs stretch themselves on blankets, newspapers or sheets in the sun, turning over at intervals like hotcakes. I think that many of them are acquirinf=g a coat of tan in preparation for a trip to Coney Island. The rrof life of the Metropolis is so interesting to me that I am reluctant to leave in June for my summer in Santa Fe.
