Lot 1
  • 1

Margaret Bourke-White

Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 USD
bidding is closed

Description

  • Margaret Bourke-White
  • DUMMY AND CHUTE LANDING, IRVING AIR CHUTE COMPANY, BUFFALO
  • Titled and with extensive annotations in pencil and crayon and usage, copyright, collection, and numerical stamps on the reverse
  • Gelatin silver print
  • 9 3/4 x 13 1/2 inches
title, reduction, and numerical notations in pencil and crayon and with Time Inc. copyright and LIFE use, assignment number, and Picture Collection stamps on the reverse, framed, 1937

Provenance

Time Inc. Picture Collection

Howard Greenberg Gallery, New York, 2005

Literature

'Aviators of 38 Nations Do Their Jumping in U. S. Parachutes,' LIFE, 22 March 1937, p. 31 (this print)

Condition

This early print, on double-weight paper with a surface sheen, is from the archival files of the Time Inc. Picture Collection. Considering that it was a circulating file print in the Time Inc. Picture Collection, this print is in good condition. The edges are rubbed, and the left and right margin edges are slightly rippled. There are 3 small sharp creases at the right and upper edges. The corners are bumped or creased. There are black crayon crop marks in the margin corners that extend very slightly into the print. When examined in raking light, a tiny, glossy circular deposit, as well as three handling creases, are visible at the right side of the print. On the reverse, there is age-appropriate soiling and darkening at the periphery. The caption, '16 (circled),' '4 (circled),' and '8 3/4' reduction notation are in pencil. '4' and '#731549' are in red china marker. The Time Inc. copyright stamp is in black ink, and the LIFE PICTURE COLLECTION and LIFE use stamps are in red ink. The LIFE assignment number, '1444,' is in blue ink. The LAST PRINT NEG. stamp is in purple and its notation '1063 BW' is in pencil. Along the right edge is the gallery inventory number 'PF45910H' in pencil.
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

This print was reproduced in a 1937 LIFE magazine story about America's oldest and most successful parachute manufacturing company, the Irving Air Chute Company of Buffalo, New York.  Bourke-White had begun her career as a photojournalist at another Time Inc. publication, Fortune, where she became known for an innovative style that incorporated elements of modernism and abstraction.  For the Irving story, Bourke-White applied her inventive eye to the task of photographing parachutes, producing a series of visually adventurous images, one of which was featured on LIFE’s cover.