Edward Steichen

signed, dated, and annotated 'Yucatan' on the image, mounted, titled and dated on the reverse, attached at the top edge only to a second mount, 1937

A Life in Photography, pl. 221; Steichen's Legacy, pl. 179

This early, warm-toned print, on single-weight paper with a smooth matte surface, is in generally very good to near-excellent condition. There is some light wear at the edges with tiny, barely noticeable, emulsion losses at the lower left edge and upper corners. The cream-colored mount, on which the print is affixed, is soiled, with tiny rust-colored droplet deposits of indeterminate nature in the upper and right portions. There are extensive reduction notations on the front of the mount in various unidentified hands in pencil and green crayon. The underlying mount is thick tan card and has several masking tape remnants along the top edge where the overmat was originally hinged. The original overmat is loose and is lightly soiled and age-darkened. The reverse of the overmat has tape remains that correspond to those on the underlying mount.
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.

The full catalogue information for this lot is as follows:

signed, dated, and annotated 'Yucatan' by the photographer in pencil on the image, mounted, reduction notations in various unidentified hands in pencil and green crayon, titled and dated, possibly by him, in pencil on the reverse, attached at the top edge only to a second mount, matted, 1937; accompanied by the original overmat, credited in an unidentified hand in pencil

Shortly after his retirement from Condé Nast, Steichen left for Mexico with his wife Dana.  Free from the constraints of work, and using the lightweight 35mm Contax camera, Steichen eagerly immersed himself in photographing Mexican culture.