Walker Evans

flush-mounted, the photographer's 'Walker Evans, 163 East 94th Street, New York 28, N. Y.' (Keller F) studio and 'Property of Walker Evans' (Keller D) stamps and with 'Shacks at Tupelo,' 'I-21,' and '1' (circled) in pencil on the reverse, hinged to a mount, a Museum of Modern Art Permanent Collection stamp and with credit, title, date, and numerical notations in pencil on the reverse, 1936

Purchased from the photographer by The Museum of Modern Art, New York, 1963

Sotheby's New York, Photographs from The Museum of Modern Art, 25 April 2001, Sale 7632, Lot 48

The Museum of Modern Art, Walker Evans: American Photographs, June 1962 - February 1963

Galerie Zur Stockeregg: Thirty Years, 1979-2009 (Zurich, 2009), pl. 29 (this print)

Walker Evans, American Photographs (The Museum of Modern Art, 1988, reprint of the original 1938 edition), Part One, pl. 21

Walker Evans: Photographs for the Farm Security Administration, 1935-38 (New York, 1973), 125

Judith Keller, Walker Evans, The Getty Collection (The J. Paul Getty Museum, 1995), 476

This early print, on semi-glossy paper, has a rich range of tonality and delivers a remarkable level of detail throughout. Aside from a few superficial scratches and faint indentations that do not break the emulsion, this print is in essentially excellent condition. This print is flush-mounted and trimmed to the image, and there is insignificant wear at the edges. A small loss of emulsion is visible upon close examination at the tip of the upper left corner. This flush-mounted photograph is hinged to a larger mount. There are small cloth and black tape remnants on the reverse of the primary mount and in the center of the secondary mount. The number '1' (circled) is written in an unidentified hand in pencil on the secondary mount. The reverse of the secondary mount is lightly soiled. The following is written in an unidentified hand in pencil along the lower edge on the reverse: 'Evans, Walker Negro Houses Tupelo, Miss. FSA 1936'; '296.63'; '62.679.' Judith Keller's book, 'Walker Evans: The Getty Museum Collection,' publishes the most comprehensive list to date of the studio and signature stamps Evans used throughout his career. The author's assessment of the use dates of stamp F on the reverse of this print is 1960 to 1963 and which are consistent with MoMA's 1963 purchase date of this print. The dates of stamp D are not known. When examined under ultraviolet light, this print does not appear to fluoresce.
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.