Comments, February, 2003:

"Even though the Edition Numbers on the above lithographs are stated as being '150,' much fewer lithographs in the editions were produced. The full amount of any edition will never be known as, unlike etchings where 'restrikes' are possible, the stone image is destroyed forever to make the next one. With only five stones available for use, none could be 'kept' for future edition reprints.

In the olden days 'the bigger the number the more commercially viable' an image was thought to be by the naive artists of that time. An enumeration of 150 was chosen out of the blue - when they all knew it would be impossible to accomplish that number with their facility in the time required. So, it is not hard to understand why they wiped off the stones far short of the 'hoped for' number. At times, the facility was so short on supplies that some images like 'Regatta (Rounding Crissy Buoy)' were pulled only a few times."
Copyright 2002, Estate of Otis Oldfield, A.R.S., N.Y.; Courtesy Trustee, S.F., CA.
This original "Lola" sketch is on
7 x 5 inch manila spiral notepad paper with sketching on reverse. The medium is graphite, with india ink outlines and blue lettering at lower center. The artist's signature is estate stamped.
Copyright 2002, Estate of Otis Oldfield, A.R.S., N.Y.; Courtesy Trustee, S.F., CA.
Copyright 2002, Estate of Otis Oldfield, A.R.S., N.Y.; Courtesy Trustee, S.F., CA.
"'Adieu!' is one of Otis Oldfield's finest lithographic images, and is a true outpouring of the artist's experience aboard the American cod fishing schooner, Louise, on it's annual trip to the Bearing Sea in 1931. Imagine the feeling of being cast adrift from all that is safe and secure to go into the deep black sea with the icebergs of Alaska all around. This lithograph gives off a strong aspect of that feeling."
"Lola (Montez) has the artist's love of women stamped all through it -- such lovely feminine trappings, gestures, and modeling ... "