Berenice Abbott

the photographer's 'Photo Bernice [sic] Abbott, 56 West 53rd Street, New York City' studio stamp on the reverse, mounted to a folio sheet of laid paper folded to 4to, signed by the photographer in pencil on the mount, matted, 1930, printed no later than early 1936 (Photographs, p. 120; O'Neal, frontispiece; Modern Vision, pl. 9; Commerce Graphics, unpaginated; Masterworks of American Photography, pl. 90; Getty Museum Handbook, pl. 174; A Ten Year Salute, p. 115)

This warm-toned print, on single-weight paper with a glossy surface and mounted to a folded sheet of textured cream-colored paper, is in generally very good condition. When examined in raking light, slight silvering is visible in the darkest areas of the print, as well as a 3-inch sharp handling crease that does not appear to break the emulsion at the right side of the print. The edges of the folded paper mount are age-darkened, and there are two tiny rust-colored deposits of indeterminate nature at the center of the lower edge when the card is opened. The dating of this print is based on the time that the photographer is known to have maintained a studio at 56 West 53rd Street--between 1932 and the spring of 1936.
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.