Robert Frank

oversized, flush-mounted, framed, 1954, printed circa 1963; accompanied by a letter of provenance by Harold Becker

Robert Frank to photographer Don Donaghy, 1963

Collection of Harold Becker, Los Angeles

Howard Greenberg Gallery, New York, 2006

The Americans: Photographs by Robert Frank (New York, 1986), p. 142

Sarah Greenough, Looking In: Robert Frank’s The Americans (Washington, D. C.: National Gallery of Art, 2009), pp. 292 and 479

'Robert Frank,' Du, January 1962, unpaginated

This impressive oversized print, printed on paper with a semi-matte finish and flush-mounted to stiff board with a glossy black back, is in generally very good condition. The edges are somewhat rubbed, and there is attendant tiny emulsion loss at the lower edge and corners. At the left side, there is evidence of uneven trimming, where a very thin strip of emulsion has separated, as if a misalignment resulted during trimming on the mount. When examined under raking light, two thin linear creases that do not appear to break the emulsion are visible in the upper portion of the print. It is likely that these occurred during flush-mounting. Also visible in raking light in the upper portion of the print are several small, dark deposits of indeterminate nature, possibly original retouching.
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.

According to the letter of provenance by filmmaker Harold Becker that accompanies this lot, this exhibition-sized print was originally given by Robert Frank to young photographer Don Donaghy in 1963.  Donaghy had studied at the Philadelphia College of Art, and his work was first shown in Two Young Philadelphians: Don Donaghy and George Krause in 1962.  He moved to New York City in the early 1960s and became friends with Robert Frank, who was instrumental in lining up work for him.  Donaghy worked as an assistant for Becker in the 1960s, and Becker acquired this print from him at that time.  Donaghy's photographs are featured in Jane Livingston's volume, The New York School: Photographs 1936-1963, alongside works by Frank, Bruce Davidson, Diane Arbus, Richard Avedon, and others.