Robert Frank

signed in ink in the margin, the archive stamp, with title, 'Americans 11,' and '90' in pencil, on the reverse, framed, a Howard Greenberg Gallery label on the reverse, 1956, possibly printed in the 1960s

Howard Greenberg Gallery, New York, 2006

Private Collection, New York

Sotheby's New York, The Inventive Eye: Photographs from a Private Collection, 1 April 2014, Sale 9129, Lot 30

The Americans, no. 11

Sarah Greenough, Looking In: Robert Frank's The Americans, pp. 222 and 463, Contact no. 11

Willy Rotzler, 'Der Photograph Robert Frank,' Du, January 1962, p. 18

Robert Frank (Aperture), p. 79

Tod Papageorge, Walker Evans and Robert Frank: An Essay on Influence, p. 15

Peter Galassi, Robert Frank: In America, p. 158

This print has an overall warm tonality, including the margins. The photograph delivers a great amount of detail throughout, from the glistening body of the car to the facial expressions and shiny hair of the two sitters. It is on double-weight paper with a surface sheen, and is in generally very good to excellent condition. The dark appearance of the margins suggests that Frank may have 'flashed' the paper before printing the image. This involved exposing the paper to light very briefly, to impart a very slight level of base tonality. It is not apparent when viewing the photograph in its framed presentation. The dating of this print is based on its appearance--its warm tonality and the use of heavy paper with a surface sheen. The signature in the margin is very faded. In high raking light, the following are visible: a sharp handling crease (measuring approximately 1/4-inch) in the lower left quadrant; and a small, very soft, crescent-shaped crease in the upper left-center portion of the image, neither of which appears to break the emulsion. The tips of the margin corners are bumped. On the reverse are 2 small rice paper tape hinge remnants. The Robert Frank Archive stamp is annotated 'Americans 11,' 'Motorama - Los Angeles,' and '90' in pencil. Additional notations on the reverse are as follows: 'BR'; and 'PF77531 (new 96618).' When examined under ultraviolet light, this print does not appear to fluoresce.
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.