Paul Strand

waxed platinum print, flush-mounted, signed, titled, and dated in ink on the reverse, framed, 1933 (Greenough, p. 93)

Paul Hertzmann, Inc., San Francisco

Irving Galleries, Palm Beach, 2000

Strand made this photograph, and that in Lot 29, with his 5 x 7-inch Graflex camera. According to Montoya, Strand masked the film plane and ground glass to alter the format of this camera and render a 4-5/8 x 5-7/8-inch image. In order to photograph without detection, Strand fitted the camera with an optical prism, allowing him to make portraits without pointing his camera directly at his subjects. This platinum print has warm, creamy highlights and rich, dark blacks. As is typical of Strand's platinum prints from this period, it has been coated by the photographer with wax or varnish. It is in very good to excellent condition. The print is trimmed to the image, and there is minor wear with attendant edge chipping at the periphery. Upon close examination, several tiny, matte rust-colored deposits of indeterminate nature are visible in the lower right quadrant. There is a tiny nick or white adhesion above the sitter's hat. In raking light, a thin deposit of original retouching below the sitter's chin creates delineation between the sitter's face and hand. This print is flush-mounted to heavy board. Abrasions and dried adhesive on the reverse indicate that it was previously affixed to a secondary mount.
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.

According to Strand authority Anthony Montoya, it is believed that the print offered here is one of only three platinum prints extant.  Aside from the present print, there is one signed by Strand in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D. C., and one signed by his widow Hazel Strand, possibly in a private collection.  Strand also made four enlargements, all gelatin silver prints, in the 1950s-60s, now located in the Philadelphia Museum of Art; the Fundacion Televisa, Mexico City; the Paul Strand Archive; and in a private collection. 

It is likely that another platinum print of this image, similarly-sized, was included in Strand’s important retrospective at The Museum of Modern Art in 1945.  This portrait was also one of 20 images selected by Strand for his 1940 portfolio Photographs of Mexico.