NEW YORK, NY.- Swann Galleries auction of Whistler and His Influence on Wednesday, October 27 offered approximately 150 prints by James A. M. Whistler and his followers. Nearly 20 of these set world auction records, including the sales top lot, a very early impression of Nocturne, etching and drypoint on Japan paper, 1879-80, which became the most expensive Whistler print ever sold at auction when it brought $282,000. The luminous and richly inked etching was likely one of the first the artist made upon his arrival in Venice, and displays his sought-after butterfly signature. Todd Weyman, Swann Vice President and Director of the Prints & Drawings Department, said, Setting the record price for any Whistler print shows the quality and scarcity of the material we have been able to gather in the past few seasons. This is the highest price for a print ever sold at Swann, solidifying Swanns place in t