Timothy O'Sullivan

albumen print, on the two-toned Wheeler Survey mount, the photographer's credit, title, 'No. 15,' and Survey information in letterpress on the mount, 1873 

Sotheby's New York, 2 October 1996, Sale 6888, Lot 59

George Wheeler, Wheeler's Photographic Survey of the American West, 1871-1873 (Dover, 1983 edition), pl. 46

Beaumont and Nancy Newhall, T. H. O'Sullivan: Photographer (George Eastman House, 1966), pl. 36

James D. Horan, Timothy O'Sullivan: America's Forgotten Photographer (New York, 1966), p. 311

Weston Naef and James Wood, Era of Exploration (Buffalo and New York, 1975), pl. 63

Joel Snyder, American Frontiers: The Photographs of Timothy H. O'Sullivan, 1867-1874 (Aperture, 1981), p. 93

Toby Jurovics, Carol M. Johnson, Glenn Willumson, and William F. Stapp, Framing The West: The Survey Photographs of Timothy H. O'Sullivan (Library of Congress and Smithsonian American Art Museum, 2010), pl. 89

Grading this albumen print on a scale of 1 to 10 - 10 being an albumen print that has deep brown dark tones and highlights that retain all of their original detail - this print rates a strong 10. This photograph has bright, creamy highlights, and rich, chocolate dark tones. The surface is exceptionally clean, without the long scuffs and scratches often seen on similar prints. It is in near pristine condition. Upon close examination, a faint, 1/2-inch scratch, or linear deposit of indeterminate nature, is visible in the upper right quadrant. The following are only visible in raking light: a barely discernible small crescent-shaped crease near the lower left edge, which likely occurred prior to or as a result of mounting; and occasional deposits of original retouching overall. The lower edge of the print is lifting slightly from the mount. The original Wheeler Survey mount is clean and exhibits only minor age-darkening. There is a thin 2-inch tideline along the left mount edge. Some light soiling and minor foxing are visible primarily at the periphery of the mount. The edges are somewhat rubbed, with small resultant chipping, and the corners are worn. There is foxing on the reverse of the mount. Also on the reverse, the following are written in an unidentified modern hand in pencil: 'Newhall pl. 36 / Naef pl. 63 / Horan p. 311' and '76 HJI.LX/76.'
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.