Inscribed: Recto: on mount, at lower left, in brown ink: "Rembrandt - extra fine (See the other side)"; Verso: at center, in brown ink: "£ 5- 5- 0 / Lot 237 of catalogue L239 in bill of sale. / Note no. 237 was a misprint with catalogue used at the sale of Wm Carey's drawings. / Rembrandt van Ryn / This drawing is from the collection of Wm Carey Esq of London, the / distinguished writer in the arts. The following is extracted from / Mr Carey's opinion of this drawing as hastily expressed in his / Catalogue - "A drawing by Rembrandt [underlined], a perfect specimen / of the peculiar spirit + decision of this most extraordinary original / in the arts. The expression of the heads, in his style, is strongly marked, / and the capricious handling of his freakish pen is singularly dis- / played. Its fine preservation, also, renders this a prize worthy / of a contest." Purchased at the sale by J. Neagle May 3rd 1838." At lower left, in graphite: "12469 [in diamond]"; at lower right, in brown ink: "£ 5 - 5 - 0"

Markings: WM: eagle; CM: recto: Claghorn