Gustave Le Gray

Albumen print from collodion glass negative, flush-mounted to original card. Signature stamp in the lower right corner. Flush-mounted to album page. Together with the album.

Roger Magnus Eugen Curt Björnstjerna (1827-1910) by descendants,
Bukowskis Stockholm, December 2016, sale 597

Sylvie Aubenas (dir.), Gustave Le Gray, 1820-1884, Paris, Bibliothèque national de France, 2002, ill. p 146.

On a scale of 10, the contrast on this aubergine tonality reaches a great 9. This albumen print is in overall very good condition. Upon close inspection, the upper left quadrant with light scratches, some only visible in raking light and with a tiny lack of paper, pin point size, in the surface layer. The upper right quadrant with light scratches visible in raking light only and with a tiny lack of paper, pin point size, in the surface layer. In the lower right quadrant, near the right edge, very light scratches visible under raking light only. In the lower left quadrant, very light scratches visible in raking light only.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The following lots 101-103 is a set of three albums made by the Swedish general Roger Björnstjerna (1827- 1910) who travelled around Europe between 1857 - 1859 with his companion Reuterskiöld and brought several photographs and gravures representing the cities he went to so such as Geneva and Paris. The prints are very diverse. His route is illustrated in an annotated map of Europe, and he also added his portrait and business cards of people he met in each city. In these albums, three extraordinary prints of Gustave Le Gray were found. Having been preserved in these album since they were purchased during this trip, they have not seen the light of day and therefore are in an exceptional condition.

Each album is following Roger Magnus Eugen Curt Björnstjerna (1827-1910) journey across Europe. Engravings are mostly illustrating his expedition. In cities where photography was already fashionable such as Paris, Florence or Rome, he also purchased images from photographic studios that started selling commercial prints. Therefore there are views by Edouard Baldus, Robert Macpherson, Fratelli Alinari among others.

In this album:
Views of Rome by Robert MacPherson
Several views of Florence by Fratelli Alinari
Reproduction of works of art by Giacomo Brogi
Views of Genoa, Venice, Lugano by unidentified photographers
View of Cologne by F. C. Eisen
Vues de Firshill