Margaret Bourke-White

mounted, initialed and editioned '1/200' in pencil on the mount, a 'LIFE Photograph by Margaret Bourke-White' label, with title in ink, on the reverse, 1937, printed no later than 1971 (Callahan, pp. 135-7; Best of Life, p. 8)

The Witkin Gallery, Inc., New York, 1971

By descent to the present owner

This lifetime print is in generally excellent condition. When examined in extremely high raking light, the following are visible: a few small glossy deposits in the upper portion of the print; an 1/8-inch impression in the lower left quadrant; a small crease in the lower right quadrant; and some barely discernible hairline scratches overall, likely a result of the mounting process. None of the aforementioned appear to break the emulsion, nor do they detract in any way from the fine appearance of this print. The photograph is mounted to sturdy board. The mount is faintly sunned at the perimeter of the print and there are some dark linear deposits from a previous mat. The left and right edges of the mount are slightly age-darkened. The reverse of the mount is faintly worn along the edges. There is a piece of tape along the upper edge.
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.

Devastating flooding in the Ohio River Valley in 1937 left one million people homeless and 385 dead.  John Shaw Billings, then managing editor of LIFE Magazine, gave Margaret Bourke-White one hour’s notice for the assignment.  She caught the last plane to Louisville, Kentucky, before the airfield was closed.

Bourke-White rode on various rowboats and rafts with her equipment through the flooded streets of Louisville to capture photographs for the magazine.  The present image shows refugees lining up for supplies at an emergency relief center.  Bourke-White made several negatives from various viewpoints before finding the most provocative composition.  A biting example of the social and economic ironies of the Depression era, it is perhaps Bourke-White's best-known image. 

The Witkin Gallery, New York, held two significant exhibitions of Bourke-White’s photographs during its first ten years in operation.  This rare lifetime print was made in conjunction with the first, in January 1971.  Bourke-White was involved with the exhibition and attended the opening.  She died in August 1971.  Of the projected edition of 200, Bourke-White made very few prints.  At the time of this writing, it is believed that only one other print from this edition has appeared at auction.