Berenice Abbott

annotations in pencil, the Federal Art Project 'Changing New York' caption and 'Duplicate' stamps on the reverse, framed, 1936 (Yochelson, Outer Boroughs, Brooklyn, pl. 31)

Acquired from Howard Greenberg Gallery, New York, circa 2001

This warm-toned early print, on semi-matte, double-weight paper, is in generally excellent condition. The corners are bumped, the edges are somewhat rubbed, and there is minor chipping. When examined in raking light, slight silvering is visible at the periphery, as well as 2 crimp marks from processing in the right negative edge. The annotations on the reverse are in the hand of an unidentified Federal Art Project employee. As stated in the catalogue for Sotheby's New York's 'Berenice Abbott's New York: Photographs from The Museum of the City of New York' auction catalogue (23 October 2002), the meaning of the "Duplicate" stamp on Abbott's Federal Art Project photographs is unclear. Most of the photographs offered in that single-owner sale carried this stamp and were of a uniformly high quality. On possibility is that this stamp was a way of marking photographs that met with Abbott's approval, but were not one of the prints for a "Master Set." It is possible that photographs bearing this stamp were printed while Abbott was supervising the project, and that prints made from late 1938 until 1943, after Abbott had left, do not.
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.