W. Eugene Smith

plate 2 from W. Eugene Smith: A Portfolio of Ten Photographs (Roslyn Heights, 1977, an edition of 25), mounted, signed in ink on the mount, a letterpress portfolio label, with edition 'A. P. 2' and plate number in ink, on the reverse, 1972, printed in 1977

Collection of H. Christopher Luce, New York

Robert Mann Gallery, New York, as agent, 1994

Johnson 36:052

W. Eugene Smith and Aileen M. Smith, Minamata (New York, 1975), pp. 138-9

Ben Maddow, Let Truth Be the Prejudice: W. Eugene Smith, His Life and Photographs (Aperture, 1985), pp. 234-5

Gilles Mora and John T. Hill, eds., W. Eugene Smith: Photographs 1934-1975 (New York, 1998), p. 312

Michel Frizot, A New History of Photography (London, 1998), p. 603

David E. Scherman and Doris C. O'Neil, eds., The Best of LIFE (New York, 1973), pp. 50-1

This portfolio print is in generally excellent condition.
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.

"To have his photographs live on in history, past their important but short lifespan in a publication, is the final desire of nearly every photographer-artist who works in journalism.  He can reach this plane only by combining a profound penetration into the character of the subject with a perfection of composition and technique—a consolidation necessary for any photographic masterpiece."

W. Eugene Smith, 1948