Alfred Eisenstaedt

2 photographs, each with number '6597' in crayon and the Famous Photographers School lesson stamp, with numbers in pencil, on the reverse, accompanied by the original Famous Photographers School mount, with extensive notations in ink and stamps, framed, 1934, probably printed before 1955 (Eisenstaedt on Eisenstaedt, pp. 38-9, one a variant) (2)

These slightly warm-toned prints, on double-weight paper with a surface sheen, are in generally very good condition. There is very slight edge wear, and there are adhesive remains on the reverse. When examined in raking light, the following are visible: silvering near the edges; small impressions that do not break the emulsion; a barely discernible pale droplet deposit of indeterminate nature on each print; and deposits of original retouching. The accompanying original mount from the Famous Photographers School is extensively annotated and is lightly soiled overall. The edges are rubbed, and the corners are bumped. On its front, there are rust-colored adhesive remains where the photographs were once affixed, as well as cropping notations and labels and many numerical notations in black and red ink. 'Visual Taste + Judgement' has been written in red ink in the lower portion, and the FPS Lesson stamp is in the lower right corner, with penciled numbers '3' and '25.' On the reverse of the mount, a photostat of the images and lesson is affixed. There are numerous stamps: Famous Photographers Schools, Wilton Road, Westport, Conn.,' 'Please return to Art Archives, Graphics Building, Original Art,' 'Original Art,' 'Photo Dept. F. A. S.,' 'Please Return to Archives Nash Bldg.,' and the FPS Lesson stamps with ink numbers. Also written at the top is 'See Aptitude Test, p. 6, Sept. '65' in red ink. These prints were used in Famous Photographers Course, Volume I, Lesson 3, 'Composing Your Photographs,' pp. 25 and 41. Technical information is as follows: Leica with a 35mm lens, Super XX film; 1/2 second at f16; available light.
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