Brassaï (1899 - 1984)

Ten silver prints, printed 1940s. 2 Prints signed in ink on the reverse; 5 prints with the photographer's 'BRASSAÏ/ 81, RUE DU FAUB^{rg St-JACQUES/ PARIS XIVe/ TÉLÉPH: PORT-ROYAL 23-41' stamp, 1 print additionally titled 16 Les Quais de la Seine in ink presumably by the photographer and stamped 'La publication de cette/ photographie a été autorisé par le Haut-Commissariat à la/ Propagande, le      ', 1 print with additional annotations in pencil by an unknown hand, and 1 print with a paper label stamped 'Imago Photo Service Paris/ Agence de Photos de Presse'  fixed over the photographer's stamp.}

From the photographer to Eugene I. Cernatesco; private collection, Paris

Alain Sayag and Annick Lionel-Marie, Brassaï. No Ordinary Eyes, exh. cat. Hayward Gallery, London, 2001, ill. p. 34 (The Pont-Neuf, c. 1932);
Brassaï. The Secret Paris of the 30's, London, Thames & Hudson, 2001, unpaginated, ill. Conchita with Sailors;
Jean-Claude Gautrand, Brassaï. 1899-1984. Brassaï's Universal Art, Cologne, London e.a. Taschen 2004, p. 85 (Conchita with Sailors, variant), ill. p. 127 (Professor Louis Dimier, Member of the Institute, on the Bank of the Seine).

The prints are generally in good condition. They have a glossy surface, the paper is thin and slighly yellowish. All prints have bumped corners or edges, occasional folds or small creases in the corners and handling dents, pressure marks or light scratches. One print (Cafe scene) has a small loss of approx. 2 x 15 mm at the centre of the upper edge. The surface of another print ("Tree", illustrated in the catalogue) is slightly soiled and needs cleaning.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The lot is accompanied by a typewritten signed letter dated 8 February 1969 by Brassaï to Eugene I. Cernatesco, former ambassador of Rumania in France where they met in the 1940s.

A selection of titles:
The Professor Louis Dimier, 1931/32
The Pont-Neuf, c. 1932
Conchita with Sailors, c. 1933
The Pont-Neuf, c. 1936