178 The Jockey going to the post. 1899. Lithograph.... Lot 178

178 The Jockey going to the post. 1899. Lithograph. 278 x 390 [325 x 415]. Delteil 282; Wittrock 311. Printed in colours. A very fine and scarce trial proof on flying chine, of the 4th state (of 5) according to Wittrock, the spitstone drawn in blue-grey (with overhang of another blue spitstone in the left margin), the indentation of the black stone very visible at the right edge. Annotation in pencil at the left edge vertically: "it was drawn before the / destruction of the plate / 5 proofs letter of the drawer Stern"; then at the foot left: "Last litho of (sic) Lautrec / unfinished - Trial ep. single / it remained only the green of the ground / to be determined"; and right: "was taken at Stern his / printer / plate erased by order after death". Very rare (according to Maurice Le Garrec, there were only 3 proofs printed in colour). Ex-coll. H.-J. Thomas (Lugt 1378). 35 000 - 40 000 € The upper and lower edges irregularly cut (cutting into the legs of the figure in the foreground). Traces of glue from an old mitre at the head on the reverse. Ripples at the right edge caused by the mounting tabs. Short tear formerly consolidated at foot.