Berenice Abbott

mounted, signed in pencil on the mount, the 'Abbot, Maine' studio stamp on the reverse, framed, 1932, printed later (Steidl, Vol. II, cover, frontispiece, and p. 35)

This print is in generally excellent condition. The mount exhibits sunning around the periphery of the print, age-darkening, and glue remains and small abrasions from a prior overmat.
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 photographer describes the taking of this iconic image,

'I took this early in the evening; there was only one time of the year to take it, shortly before Christmas.  I started about 4:30 p.m. and didn't have much time.  But I had done a good deal of prior planning on the photograph, going so far as to devise a special soft developer for the negative.  This was a fifteen-minute exposure and I'm surprised the negative is as sharp as it is because these big buildings do sway a bit.  I knew I had no opportunity to make multiple exposures because the lights would start to go out shortly after 5:00 p.m. when the people began to go home and so it had to be correct on the first try.  In this case I was at a window, not at the top of the building; there would have been too much wind outside.  It was, of course, hard to get permission.  They always thought you wanted to commit suicide and superintendents were always tired, lazy and annoyed.  They usually had to be bribed' (Steidl, Vol. II, p. 34).