Whistler, James A. M. THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER. Spink 133, Way 97, Levy 149. Lithograph, 1895. From the posthumous edition of 42 impressions printed by Goulding in 1904 (there were 15 lifetime impressions printed by Way in 1895, and no published editions). Printed on laid paper with a partial watermark "GR" which does not conform with any of the watermarks listed in Spink for the papers of either the lifetime or the posthumous edition. With the printed butterfly signature, center right. Two unidentified collector's stamps, "ER" in a double circle, and "DB" within a square, verso. The image is 6 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches, 166 x 165 mm., the sheet is 9 7/16 x 7 3/16 inches. In excellent condition. November 5th is Guy Fawkes Day in England. Whistler made the drawing during a Guy Fawkes Day celebration in Lyme Regis. The image is of a group standing around a bonfire of burning tar barrels at Cobb Gate. According to Spink, this print was likely the first that Whistler made using an improved type of transfer paper which Way had provided to him. The sheet on which this drawing was made was apparently creased in the upper right, which, when the drawing was transferred to the stone, resulted in the two diagonal lines at the upper right. Despite being notified of the problem by Way, Whistler elected to go forward with the printing of the lithograph.
