Marion Post Wolcott

signed and annotated and with a partial Farm Security Administration and Division of Information use stamps on the reverse, 1938 

The collection of Graham Nash

Sotheby's New York, 25 April 1990, Photographs from the Collection of Graham Nash, Sale 6003, Lot 252

Acquired by the present owner from the above

Santa Clara, de Saisset Art Museum, University of California, The Graham Nash Collection, 1978, and traveling through 1989 to the Contemporary Art Center, Cincinnati; the Phoenix Art Museum; the Tyler, Texas, Museum of Art; the Springfield, Missouri, Art Museum; the Frederick S. Wight Art Gallery, University of California, Los Angeles; Recontre de la Photographie Internationale, Arles; Jornadas Internacionales De La Imagen, Lisbon; Kunstverein, Cologne; Kunstverein, Frankfurt; Provincial Museum of Hasselt, Belgium; and the Honolulu Academy of Arts

The Graham Nash Collection, cat. 85, p. 66 (this print); Marion Post Wolcott: A Photographic Journey, p. 25; Marion Post Wolcott: FSA Photographs, pl. 32; In This Proud Land, pl. 3; A Vision Shared, p. 176

This print is on heavy single-weight paper with the highly glossy finish typical of ferrotyped photographs. It is essentially in excellent condition. When the print is viewed very closely in raking light, a series of faint striations can be seen in its surface – these are characteristic of the ferrotyping process. There are several places on the print's surface where the writing on the reverse has pressed the emulsion up – this is only visible in raking light. There is very minor chipping of the emulsion on the lower edge and in the corners. These condition issues are slight and do not diminish the impact of this impressive print of one of Wolcott's most celebrated images.
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:

ferrotyped, signed and inscribed 'Original vintage F.S.A. print' twice by the photographer in pencil and captioned by her in ink and with her partial Farm Security Administration credit stamp, a Division of Information use stamp, and reduction and other notations in unidentified hands in pencil and red ink on the reverse, matted, 1938 

Wolcott's caption on the reverse of this photograph reads in full: 'Children of tenant farmer, younger one with severe rickets, near Wadesboro, N. C.  Thin eroded land – poverty and malnutrition.' 

Exhibition history:

Santa Clara, de Saisset Art Museum, University of California, The Graham Nash Collection, 1978, and traveling through 1989 to:

Cincinnati, Contemporary Art Center

Phoenix Art Museum

Tyler, Texas, Museum of Art

Springfield, Missouri, Art Museum

Los Angeles, Frederick S. Wight Art Gallery, University of California

Arles, Recontre de la Photographie Internationale

Lisbon, Portugal, Jornadas Internacionales De La Imagen

Cologne, Kunstverein

Frankfurt, Kunstverein

Provincial Museum of Hasselt, Belgium

Honolulu Academy of Arts