- 8
Rutherfurd, Lewis Morris
Estimate
6,000 - 9,000 USD
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Description
- A view of the Moon, New York, 8 January 1865
- albumen, card stock
Large albumen print (21 1/4 x 17 1/8 in.) mounted on card stock (23 1/2 x 19 1/4 in.), signed and dated in-plate ("Lewis M Rutherfurd | New York January 8 1865"), some foxing, scattered creasing (mostly to margins), small chip to lower edge, small tear to right edge, approx 1/2 inch. Framed and glazed.
Condition
Large albumen print (21 1/4 x 17 1/8 in.) mounted on card stock (23 1/2 x 19 1/4 in.), signed and dated in-plate ("Lewis M Rutherfurd | New York January 8 1865"), some foxing, scattered creasing (mostly to margins), small chip to lower edge, small tear to right edge, approx 1/2 inch. Framed and glazed.
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.
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.
Catalogue Note
A large-format photograph of the moon by Lewis Rutherfurd, "the greatest lunar photographer of the age" (Richard Proctor). Rutherfurd (1816-92) trained as a lawyer, but in 1849 he changed direction, had an observatory built at his home at 11th Street and 2nd Avenue in New York, and spent the rest of his life working on astronomical photography and spectroscopy. He was among the first American astronomers to use photography in astrophysical research, taking his first photographs from his garden observatory in 1858.
In addition to lunar photography, Rutherfurd produced outstanding photographs of the sun and planets, as well as star clusters and stars down to the fifth magnitude. He invented instruments for his studies, including the micrometer for measuring photographs, a machine for producing improved ruled diffraction gratings, and the first telescope designed specifically for astrophotography.