Alfred Eisenstaedt

mounted, with red ink cropping notations on the mount, the Famous Photographers School lesson and other stamps, with numbers in ink, on the reverse, framed, 1932, printed before 1964 (Witness, p. 54)

This photograph, on semi-glossy paper, is in generally good to very good condition. Upon close examination and in raking light, signs of handling and use -- various soft and sharp handling creases, deposits of original retouching, and wear to the print's edges -- are visible. The print is mounted to slick off-white board, and there is a thin excess of drymounting tissue along the print's left edge. The following notations are in an unidentified hand near the lower edge of the mount: 'A' (in red ink, in duplicate); and 'OK SCT' (in pencil). On the reverse of the mount, there is a band of adhesive remains along the upper edge. Also on the reverse are the following stamps: 'Please return to Art Archives, Graphics Building,' 'Original Art,' and the Famous Photographers School lesson stamp with '13' and '12' in red ink. This photograph is also reproduced in: Famous Photographers Course, Volume II, Lesson 13, 'Photojournalism,' pp. 12 and 39. The dating of this print is based upon its being used for reproduction in the Famous Photographers Course volumes, which were published in 1964. The technical information for this photograph is as follows: 6x9 plate camera; Ilford plate; 1/5000 second at f/5.6; daylight.
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 photographs in this and the following three lots come from the archives of the Famous Photographers School, a correspondence course for budding photographers that operated from 1964 into the 1970s.  Alfred Eisenstaedt was a member of the school’s Guiding Faculty, along with Richard Avedon, Irving Penn, Philippe Halsman, Bert Stern, and Ezra Stoller.