Lewis W. Hine

a series of 169 glass lantern slides of Immigrants at Ellis Island; Playgrounds - Institutions - Corrective Agencies; Types of Workers and of Children; Men - Women - Children at Work and at Play; and Conditions Encountered and Needs Met in Modern Philanthropic Work, many numbered in pencil and credited 'Lewis W. Hine, Social Photographer, Lincoln Park, Yonkers, N. Y.' on the slides' mounts, circa 1904-30;  in the original wooden slide box, accompanied by a printed pamphlet advertising Hine's Bureau of Social Photography (169 lantern slides, 1 box, and 1 pamphlet)

Winter Associates, Inc., Plainville, Connecticut, 7 December 2009, Sale 432, Lot 160

This collection of 169 glass lantern slides is in generally excellent condition. Approximately 5 slides have small cracks, which generally do not intrude upon the image. When examined very closely, fingerprints, occasional fine scratches, and minor soiling is visible on a number of the slides. The paper tape seals for the most part are intact and tight. Some of the slides have small numbered labels on the front or reverse. Many of the slides are credited 'Lewis W. Hine, Social Photographer, Lincoln Park, Yonkers, N. Y.' or 'National Child Labor Committee' on the mount. 7 slides are credited 'Werner Fetz' on the mount, although these are also Hine images and are likely copy slides made by Fetz. One of these slides, 'An Italian Home Near Hull House,' is hand-colored. The wood box is in generally very good condition, with some scratches and light soiling on the lid. There are 11 small paper strips dividing the slides into categories. These are annotated in ink as follows: 'Ellis Island,' 'Mines, coal braker boys,' 'Steel mills,' Tuberculosis,' 'Cotton mills,' Construction camps,' Derlicts,' 'City slums,' 'Children,' 'Homework, Sweat shops,' and 'Red light districts, Dallas, N. Y. Com. 14.' Printed on the reverse of one of the strips is 'Greetings 1941 from The Fetz Four.'
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 an effort to raise public awareness and affect legislation, Lewis Hine and other reformers used his photographs not only in periodicals and exhibitions, but also in lantern slide presentations.  The February 1914 issue of The Expositor and Current Anecdotes noted that Hine ‘has opened a bureau of Social Photography.  He will make lantern slides to illustrate lectures on social service subjects.  His list of subjects contains pictures concerning all phases of labor, immigration, living conditions, etc.’ (pp. 289-90).  Throughout the 19^th and early 20^thcentury, lantern slide lectures were popular as a means of entertainment and education.  

This series of lantern slides comes originally from the collection of Paul Schumm, a darkroom assistant and graduate of Manhattan’s Ethical Culture School where Hine taught, and Schumm’s brother-in-law, Werner Fetz, a photographer and lecturer who worked with Hine.

Additional images in this lot may be found in our online catalogue.