A May 1987 catalogue isn't old, its just yesterday!!

Sotheby's have an almost compelete library of past catalogues going back
TWO CENTURIES, always showing "hammer" prices, and often the purchasers'
names.  In the case of paintings with their distinctive stencilled number
on the back they can go back at least a century just from the number, as
they have indexes to these. (Christies are the same for both past
catalogues and stencil numbers etc.).

In relation to your query have you contacted Sotheby's direct?  Their web
site www.sotheby.com seems to be New York based but the "Information"
lists phone numbers for all staff by specialisation worldwide, including
Museum Liaison people, though in my experience the departmental subject
specialists are always very happy indeed to help museums (or other people
for that matter) track down and verify items from their past sales.


Patrick Boylan

>  ----------
> Subject: Re: need help finding Sotheby's art catalog
> Date: Sunday, 6 April 1997 10:10AM
>
> >I'm trying to get ahold of an old (5/19/87) Sotheby's art catalog.
>
> Brian
>