Whistler's lithographs, which number approximately 170, are less well known than his etchings, despite his early role in the revival of interest in the medium at the end of the 19th century.  The first lithographs, some 20 prints, were made in 1878-79.  These first lithographs, other than lithotints, were drawn with crayon onto transfer paper from which they were offset on stone.  Whistler had proofs pulled as work on the stone progressed.  The lithographs are generally known in several states.

At the time 'Nocturne:  The River at Battersea" was drawn only a few impressions were pulled.  But in 1887, when Whistler's interest in lithography was renewed, six of his early lithographs, including this one, were issued as a set, 'Notes' by Boussod, Valadon & Co.  An edition of 100 was printed - thirty sets on large paper that were signed by the artist and 70 unsigned sets on smaller sheets.  The set comprised three Thames subjects, the Nocturne:  The River at Battersea, Limehouse, and Old Battersea Bridge, two street scenes, Gaiety Stage Door and Victoria Club, and a portrait of Maud Franklin, Lady Reading.

This Whistler is in a 21 3/16" x 24 15/16" ornate silver frame with a scoop, acanthus leaf pattern on the cove and an egg and dart pattern on the lip.  The matching wood fillet echoes the frame.  The outer rawhide denim, brown gray middle and stone gray inner mats are acid and lignin free and protected with Acrylite-AR OP3 (UV) by CYRO ...... $3500.00