Paul Strand

the photographer's printing notations in pencil on the reverse, flush-mounted, titled, dated, and credited by Hazel Strand in pencil and a Light Gallery stamp, with number '76.002' in pencil, on the reverse, 1916, probably printed in the 1960s (Camera Work, Number 48; Circa 1916, pl. 14)

Estate of Paul Strand

Acquired by the present owner from Light Gallery, 1980

As is frequently seen with Paul Strand's photographs, this print has the photographer's extensive printing notations written on the reverse. Because the print is flush-mounted to thick paper, these are only partially visible. The following notations can be made out at various places on the reverse: 'Medalist 3' (Kodak Medalist printing paper grade 3), 'F8-48' (the aperture setting for the enlarging lens and the exposure time in seconds for the print), 'dark shaded,' 'upper right' and 'cor +12' (burning in the upper right corner for an additional 12 seconds), and '55D' (55 seconds in the developer). This somewhat cool-toned print, on lightly textured paper with a very fine surface sheen, is in generally excellent condition. In raking light, a few tiny deposits of original retouching are visible. The black margin corners are bumped. At the periphery of the print, a thin border of excess dry-mounting tissue is visible. On the reverse, '#10' and '#3198-C' are written in an unidentified hand in pencil. Also on the reverse are 2 small adhesive remnants from previous hinges.
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.

According to Strand authority Anthony Montoya, Strand made this photograph with his 3¼ x 4¼-inch English Ensign Reflex camera.  The glass plate negative was contact printed to another sensitized plate to produce a glass plate positive, which was then enlarged to produce a printing negative on an 11 x 14-inch glass plate. 

It is believed that the print offered here is one of 4 extant prints of the image.  Strand only made one early platinum print from the original negative, now in the collection of The Philadelphia Museum of Art.  As was typical for many of Strand's glass plate negatives, this plate was varnished, eventually rendering it virtually unprintable.  In the 1960s, an internegative of this image was made, likely by copying the original platinum print.  The print offered here, as well two other prints in The Philadelphia Museum of Art and in the Paul Strand Archive, was made in the 1960s from this internegative.