Margaret Bourke-White

'LIFE Photograph by Margaret Bourke-White' credit and reproduction rights and Witkin Gallery stamps, and with annotations in pencil on the reverse, 1937, printed no later than 1971 (Callahan, p. 135; Best of Life, p. 8)

This slightly warm-toned print, on double-weight paper with a surface sheen, is in generally good to very good condition. The edges are slightly rubbed, and the corners are bumped. The left margin corners are creased. When examined in raking light, several crescent-shaped sharp handling creases are visible on the surface. These do not appear to break the emulsion. This print does not appear to fluoresce when examined under ultra-violet light. The notations on the reverse are as follows: 'The American Way of Life - Depression Era' As a continuation of the credit/reproduction rights stamp: 'except for one-time rights in connection with M B-W exhibit at Witkin Gallery. Print must be returned.' '1239/12' (This is the LIFE assignment number and the roll number)
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.

The Witkin Gallery had two significant Margaret Bourke-White exhibitions during its first ten years in operation.  This scarce lifetime print of one of Bourke-White's best-known photographs was used in conjunction with the first, in January 1971.  Bourke-White was involved with the exhibition and attended the opening.  She died in August 1971.

This photograph, made by Bourke-White for LIFE magazine in February 1937 during severe flooding in the Ohio River valley, shows refugees lining up for supplies at an emergency relief station in Louisville, Kentucky. An example of the social and economic ironies of the Depression era, it is perhaps Bourke-White's best-known image.  As of this writing, only one other print of this image is believed to have been offered at auction.