Weegee

the circular 'Weegee the Famous' credit stamp in red ink and 'Please Credit Weegee from Photo-Representatives' stamp in black ink and with number '5793' in pencil on the reverse, 1943

Estate of the photographer

Collection of Wilma Wilcox, New York

Private collection

Phillips New York, A Sale of Photographs by Weegee, 31 January 2000, Sale 831, Lot 16

LIFE, 16 August 1943, p. 32

This early warm-toned print, trimmed to the image and on double-weight paper with a slight surface sheen, is in generally good condition. The paper is somewhat wavy at the upper edge. There is a narrow 3-inch area of warm discoloration in the upper left corner, likely due to chemical staining. Also in this area are small transparent deposits of indeterminate nature. The print is also somewhat warm in tone at the lower right corner. The edges are rubbed. When examined in raking light, 2 crescent-shaped handling creases are visible in the lower portion of the print. These do not appear to break the emulsion. The reverse of the print is lightly soiled and has a small abrasion at the lower edge. At the upper edge, there are several small tape remains from prior hinging.
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.

This photograph of the quintessential New York mayor, Fiorello H. La Guardia, was taken by the quintessential New York photographer, Weegee.  La Guardia was a shrewd politician and attuned to the power of the press; Weegee called him by the nickname ‘Butch.’  ‘I made “Butch” famous,’ Weegee wrote in Naked City, ‘by always photographing him at fires.’ 

In this image, La Guardia is at the West 123rd Street precinct conferring with fire officials in the summer of 1943.  There were riots in Harlem following the arrest of an African-American woman, and then the shooting, by police, of an African-American soldier who attempted to intervene.   An original caption for the image read:

‘Mayor La Guardia braces himself against the rail at the West 123rd Street police station in conference with officials of the Fire Department on the night of the riot.  Using this headquarters, the Mayor stayed on the job all night, touring the district in a police loudspeaker car, broadcasting radio appeals for calm and cooperation, enlisting the valuable aid of Negro leaders and civic groups, making sure that adequate police and Army protection arrived to prevent further disorders.  He also ordered more food brought into hungry Harlem.’

At the time of this writing, only one other print of this image has been located, in a private collection.