Byron Company

comprising 236 photographs

Collection of Percy Byron, New York
Thence by descent to the present owner

For comprehensive history on the SS Normandie, including many images included in the present album, see:
Bruno Foucart et al., Normandie:  Queen of the Seas, New York, 1985
Louis-Rene Vian, Arts Décoratifs À Bord des Paquebots Français 1880-1960, Paris, 1992
Pierre Kjellberg, Art Déco: Les Maîtres du Mobilier, Le Décor des Paquebots, Paris, 2000
John Maxtone-Graham, Normandie:  France's Legendary Art Deco Oceanliner, New York, 2007

The prints in this album are on glossy double-weight paper. The strength and richness of the tonality of the individual prints varies from fair to generally very good. Some of the prints have yellowed with age, particularly in the highlights. Light silvering is visible on some prints. Handling issues, faint soiling, and rubbing at the margin edges are apparent on many of the prints. The album is postbound. The covers are rubbed and exhibit minor scuffing, scratches and edge losses. This extremely rare offering has remained in the collection of the photographer and his family since the photographs were taken in 1935. Many of the photographs in this album have never been published. The collection provides one of the most in-depth views of the Normandie and its maiden voyage, and also documents many of the famous works designed for the interiors by Dunand, Dupas, Subes, Lalique, Ruhlmann and Jouve. There is also a great representation of the captain and crew, the public recreational areas, state rooms and first class cabins. Given the volume of the photographs included in the album, if you are interested in detailed reports on specific prints, please contact the 20th Century Design department at 212-606-7170.
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 SS Normandie had began her maiden voyage in Le Havre on May 29, 1935.   By June 3rd she was in New York, met by cheering crowds as she berthed on the north side of Pier 88 on West 48^th Street, where a new terminal was built especially for her.  The photographer Percy Byron had been commissioned by The French Line to document the arrival.  One of the premier maritime photographers of his generation, his extraordinary images document the beauty, glamour, luxury, comfort and sheer scale of this magnificent liner. 

The photographs document many of the now iconic works on this "floating museum of contemporary French art" as it was described by Magdeleine A. Dayon in L’Art et les Artistes.  Works by Jean Dunand, Jean Dupas, Raymond Subes, René Lalique,  Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann and Paul Jouve are included along with images of the Captain and crew, the working and relaxing areas on board, the state rooms and first class cabins.

The majority of images from the collection of Percy Byron are now housed in the Museum of the City of New York.  The present album, the most extensive collection of images of the SS Normandie ever offered for sale at auction, represents the artist's personal selections for his family. .