Lot 140
  • 140

EUGÈNE ATGET | Journaux. Coin rue Mouffetard

Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 USD
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Description

  • Eugène Atget
  • Journaux. Coin rue Mouffetard
  • 8 3/8  by 6 7/8  in. (21.3 by 17.5 cm.)
matte albumen print, mounted, 'Photo E. Atget / Collection Berenice Abbott / 1 W. 67th St.' stamp and with title and numerical notations in pencil on the reverse, 1912

Provenance

Collection of Erhard Weyhe By descent to the present owners

Condition

This print of a quintessential Paris street scene delivers tremendous detail. The titles of publications for sale; the wire mesh on the cabinet; folds in the hanging scraps of cloth; the intricate design on the lamppost; the signage boldly advertising nearby vendors – all are rendered in fascinating, crystalline detail. The shadowy figure of a woman caught in partial movement is visible near the left edge of the image. Grading this albumen print on a scale of 1 to 10 - a 10 being a print that has very rich, deep dark tones and highlights that retain all their original detail - this print rates a strong 8. It has saturated tones and creamy highlights. The uppermost portion of the image, just above the newsstand, is very faintly lighter in tonality but there is no discernible fading at the edges. Visible in raking light only is an approximately 2-1/2-inch crease in the upper center portion of the image which does not appear to break the emulsion and was possibly a result of mounting. The tip of the lower right corner is lifted. The photograph is on a thin mount. There is slight wear to the edges of the mount, the right corners are creased, and there is minor soiling. On the reverse of the mount, there is ever-so-faint offsetting from another image, as well as minor soiling. '393' and '2/2' are written in an unidentified hand in pencil on the reverse.
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

At the time of this writing, only one other print of this image is believed to have appeared at auction, sold in these rooms in the landmark 1982 sale Photographs by Eugène Atget (Sale 4871M, Lot 24).  A print of this image is in the Abbott-Levy Collection, acquired in 1968 by The Museum of Modern Art, New York.