Eugène Atget

2 printing-out-paper prints, one numbered '3097' in the negative, titled and numbered '3097' in pencil and with the photographer's 'Rue Campagne-Première, 17 bis' studio stamp on the reverse; the other numbered '113' in the negative, flush-mounted, each framed, circa 1926 ('113': Atget, Volume IV, pl. 104) (2)

Collection of Berenice Abbott / Julien Levy, 1968

The Museum of Modern Art, New York, 2002

Group in front of a carnival ride (negative '3097'): Grading this printing-out-paper print on a scale of 1 to 10--a 10 being a printing-out-paper print with deep brown dark tones and highlights that retain all of their original detail--this print rates a 5. The print is yellowed overall, especially along the edges. This photograph is in generally good condition. As is common with Atget's photographs, the print is trimmed unevenly and a portion of the negative is visible at the left, right, and lower edges. There is a 1/2-inch tear at the upper edge. Upon close inspection, a small deposit of indeterminate nature is visible on one of the figures and a pinpoint-sized impression is visible on another figure. On the reverse is a tape remnant along the upper edge. 'Fete des Invalides' and '3097' are written by the photographer in pencil. 'MOMA DUPE [illegible] 2002' is written in an unidentified hand in pencil. Carnival street (negative '113'): Grading this printing-out-paper print on a scale of 1 to 10--a 10 being a printing-out-paper print with deep brown dark tones and highlights that retain all of their original detail--this print rates a 7. While the left corners have yellowed, the center of the image exhibits a high degree of detail, from the three leaves to the signage. This photograph is in generally good condition. As is common with Atget's photographs, the print is trimmed unevenly and a portion of the negative is visible at the left, right, and lower edges, and there is minor edge chipping. In high raking light, a few soft handling creases are visible, primarily in the left portion of the image. This print is flush-mounted to a modern board. On the reverse of the mount, '#113 Fete des Invalides' and 'MOMA DUPE [illegible] 2002' are written in an unidentified hand in pencil. In 'The Work of Atget. Volume III: The Ancien Regime,' Maria Morris Hambourg has chronologically dated, in the form of an extensive chart, Atget's photographs by their series and negative numbers. The chart is the most comprehensive to date, and our dating of this print is based upon the author's assessment of the photographer's series and negative numbers. The negative number on this print '113' indicates that this image was taken 1926 (cf. 'The Work of Atget. Volume III: The Ancien Regime,' pp. 181-85).
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