Eugène Atget

albumen print, flush-mounted, framed, 1902 (Nesbit, p. 387)

David Mancini Gallery, Philadelphia, 1980

Grading this albumen print on a scale of 1 to 10--a 10 being an albumen print with deep brown dark tones and highlights that retain all of their original detail--this print rates an 8. While the dark tones remain rich and there is a high level of detail, the highlights have yellowed somewhat, particularly along the left edge; this does not diminish the generally fine appearance of this print. This photograph is trimmed to the image and flush-mounted to board. When examined in raking light, tiny impressions and a scattering of tiny matte deposits are visible overall. A few small creases and raised areas, likely particles trapped between the print and mount, are also visible in raking light. These may have occurred prior to or as a result of mounting. The print is unevenly trimmed along the left edge, with a thin border of the mount visible. The paper's watermark 'Rives No. 74' is visible along the lower edge. There are linen and tape hinge remnants along the lower edge on the reverse of the mount.
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