Berenice Abbott

mounted, annotation '3' [underlined] in pencil on the reverse, framed, 1945-46 (O'Neal, p. 231; Steidl, Vol. I, p. 211; Documenting Science, p. 133)

This early print, trimmed to the image, is on warm-toned paper and is mounted to a beige board. It has some wear at the edges, with very small chipping at the lower left. In raking light, the following are visible: silvering in the dark areas; craquelure overall; tiny original deposits of retouching; and small creases that likely occurred prior to or during mounting. The mount is appropriately age-darkened, and there is sunning at the periphery of the photograph. The reverse of the mount is soiled, and there are strips of cellulose tape at the upper and lower edges.
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.

Abbott wrote about the making of this photograph,

'This was made for Science Illustrated, long before the PSSC (Physical Science Study Committee) project.  It took at least three days and in a way it is a masterpiece of its kind.  The soap bubbles here are very small--actually this is a macrophotograph.  I set off a small flash underneath the glass pan holding the suds.  I made many exposures and most of them came out mushy.  This one finally worked, showing the structure of the suds perfectly' (Hank O'Neal, Berenice Abbott, American Photographer, p. 231).