Lewis W. Hine

warm-toned, the photographer's ‘LEWIS W. HINE / Hastings-on-Hudson, N. Y.’ blindstamp on the image, titled and annotated in ink on the reverse, framed, circa 1930

Collection of Clarence McKenzie Lewis, Jr. (1911-1975)

By descent to the present owner

Lewis Hine, Men at Work: Photographic Studies of Modern Men and Machines (New York, 1977), unpaginated (variant)

This pleasingly warm-toned early print, on lightly-textured, double-weight paper with a faint surface sheen, is in overall excellent condition. The photograph has thin margins and the corners are lightly bumped. The reverse of the print is slightly and appropriately age-darkened along the edges and there is soiling and scuffing overall. 'Riveter on Empire State Building' / Photo-study by Hine' is written by the photographer in ink, and 'LWH/1049' and '56' (circled) are written in an unidentified hand in pencil. 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.

This photograph comes originally from the collection of Clarence McKenzie Lewis, Jr., a trustee of the Carnegie Museum (1955-61).  A noted art collector with a particular passion for Paul Klee and Japanese sword fittings, Lewis was raised among fine art and design at Skylands, a thousand acre estate that is now the New Jersey Botanical Garden.