Lewis W. Hine

the photographer's 'Interpretive Photography, Hastings-on-Hudson, New York,' studio stamp, numbers 'N 362,' '7,' and '#110' in pencil, and with a photo agency label on the reverse, 1908, probably printed in the 1920s or 1930s

Afterimage Gallery, Dallas, 1975

Sotheby's New York, 16 October 2004, Sale 8018, Lot 47

Variant croppings:

Vicki Goldberg, Lewis Hine: Children at Work (Munich, London and New York, 1999), p. 58

Vicki Goldberg, The Power of Photography: How Photography Changed Our Lives (New York, 1991), p. 175

Vicki Goldberg and Robert Silberman, American Photography: A Century of Images (San Francisco, 1999), p. 42

Russell Freedman, Kids at Work: Lewis Hine and the Crusade Against Child Labor (New York, 1994), rear dust jacket and p. 34

Karl Steinorth, ed., Lewis Hine: Passionate Journey, Photographs 1905-1937 (Zurich, 1996), p. 123

Barbara Haskell, The American Century: Art & Culture, 1900-1950 (Whitney Museum of American Art, 1999), p. 85, fig. 158

The paper, size format, Hine stamp, and pencil annotations on the print offered here have been compared to other Lewis Hine photographs, in the same size format, that are known to have been printed in Hine's lifetime. This print, for its age, is in excellent condition overall. When examined in raking light, there is a faint 1/2-inch linear indentation, not breaking the emulsion, in the top center portion of the photograph. Nearby, there is a pin-dot indentation that does break the emulsion. The margin corners are slightly bumped, and there are glue remnants on the back where the caption label was once affixed. There is light soiling on the reverse. None of these issues detracts from the otherwise fine appearance of this photograph.
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 subject of this photograph is Sadie Pfeifer, who was described by Hine in his original caption for the picture as '48 inches high.  Has worked half a year. One of the many small children at work in Lancaster Cotton Mills.  Lancaster, S. C., Nov. 30, 1908.'