Lot 71
  • 71

William J. Stillman

Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 USD
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Description

  • William J. Stillman
  • 'THE ACROPOLIS OF ATHENS, ILLUSTRATED PICTURESQUELY AND ARCHITECTURALLY IN PHOTOGRAPHY'
  • Album of carbon prints
(London: F. S. Ellis, 1870), a book illustrated with 26 carbon prints of the Architecture and Environs of the Acropolis, comprising one small carbon print on the title and 25 larger carbon prints, most numbered and a few with the photographer's signature, caption, and/or date in the negative, mounted one to a leaf, each with a leaf of accompanying text. Tall folio, gilt-lettered green one-quarter morocco (Truthful Lens 155; NYPL 223; Photobook Vol. I, p. 68)

Literature

Richard Pare, Photography and Architecture, 1839-1939 (Canadian Centre for Architecture, 1982), pls. 65, 66 (variant), and 68, and pp. 241-2

Anne Ehrenkranz, et al., Poetic Localities: Photographs . . . by William J. Stillman (ICP, 1988), pp. 22-3, pls. 19-33, figs. xv, xviii-xx, and pp. 111-4

Condition

A detailed report for each plate is beyond the scope of this condition report; those wishing condition reports on individual specific plates are welcome to contact the Photographs Department. The contents of the book are overall crisp, with moderate foxing mostly affecting the text and plate leaves and not the carbon prints. There are small tears and losses along the lower edge of the first four leaves, and occasional chipping along the edges of other leaves. Soiling from handling is evident on some of the leaves, and there are insect remains on the reverse of the text leaf for plate 25. The gutta percha spine adhesive is in good condition, so that the covers and leaves of the volume are attached and intact. The one-quarter morocco is worn and flaking along the spine and on both the front and back covers. The generally clean cloth covers are bumped at the corners and rubbed along the edges.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Catalogue Note

Additional images in this volume may be found in our online catalogue.