Romany Marye in Christopher Street
John Sloan (1871-1951), Romany Marye in Christopher Street, 1922, etching, signed in pencil lower right, titled, dated and inscribed 100 proofs bottom margin. Reference: Morse 278, seventh state (of 7), from the edition of 52 impressions, all printed by Charles White. In very good condition, with barely visible light toning, printed on a cream laid paper with margins (small loss upper left margin edge), 6 x 8 inches, the sheet 8 1/4 x 10 3/8 inches, archival mounting.
A fine rich atmospheric impression, printed with a plate tone overall which heightens the sense that this is a night scene.
Although Sloan writes “100 proofs” in the lower left margin, as he customarily did, the total printing size of the edition was half that – 52.
Sloan wrote of this print: “All Greenwich Villagers know Romany Marye, who has acted the part of hostess, philosopher, and friend in her series of quiet little restaurants for the past thiry-five years. The etching shows her chatting in her deep comfortable voice to Dolly and myself.” Sloan is depicted at the lower right, with the pipe; his wife Dolly is at the lower left.
$3400