L12405

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Lot 301
  • 301

Saudi Arabia--Life Magazine--Landry, Bob.

Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 GBP
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Description

  • A fine large portrait photograph of H.M. King Abdulaziz, together with an original issue of Life magazine which published the photograph on its cover in 1943
  • paper
Gelatin silver print on double-weight paper (520 x 405mm.), cropping marks in the image in red crayon and blue ink, stamped in blue on the reverse "Life Photo by Bob Landry" and notes in black crayon "used Life May, 31, [19]43 (cover)", "Prinz [sic] Ibn Saud" and negative number "#12860", slight creasing to corners

Condition

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

Bob Landry's original photograph of Ibn Saud (1876-1953), as published on the cover of Life for its special "Photographic Essay" on Saudi Arabia, 31 May 1943 (vol.14, no.22). In the winter of 1942-43 Life editor Noel F. Busch and Life photographer Bob Landry spent around two weeks in Saudi Arabia at the invitation of the king. They met Ibn Saud three times and he allowed Busch a formal interview. Busch describes his article as "the first complete journalistic account of [Saudi Arabia] and its ruler... in photographs and words." Life photographer Bob Landry (1913-c.1960) was responsible for taking many memorable and iconic images during the 1940s including Rita Hayworth (1941), and Fred Astaire and was on a cruiser in the Pacific when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour, and like Capa went in the first wave at D-Day, but lost his film and shoes during the landing. Life magazine from its re-launch by Henry Luce in 1936 had a strong emphasis on photo-journalism and became the first all-photographic American news magazine, which dominated the market for more than 40 years. Life sold more than 13.5 million copies a week at one point and was so popular that President Harry S. Truman, Sir Winston Churchill and General Douglas MacArthur all serialised their memoirs in the magazine.