Margaret Bourke-White

a group of 8 photographs, each warm-toned with black ink borders, mounted, signed in pencil on the mount, numbered and annotated in ink on the reverse, 1929-30; accompanied by the original green paper folio with flaps (9)

The photographer to Wendell Westover

By descent to the present owner

These warm-toned early prints, on double-weight paper with a matte, slightly pebbled surface, and with the photographer's hand-inked black borders, are the ideal presentation of Bourke-White's photographs from this period. The reverse of each print is sequentially numbered and annotated '1 Chrys. Bldg' through '9 Chrys. Bldg;' print number 4 is not present. The photographs are in generally excellent condition with minimal signs of handling. Age-appropriate silvering is visible on some of the prints, most notably on prints '2 Chrys. Bldg' and '3 Chrys. Bldg.' '2 Chrys. Bldg.' - Upon extremely close inspection, a soft 2-1/2-inch crease is just visible along the left edge of the image. '5 Chrys. Bldg.' - In the upper left quadrant, there are 2 tiny light-colored deposits of indeterminate nature. '8 Chrys. Bldg.' - Upon close inspection, a few tiny light-rust-colored deposits, possibly foxing, are visible in the left portion of the image. The smooth cream-colored mounts are clean and in generally very good to excellent condition. Some of the mount corners are creased and exhibit minor soiling on the reverse. There are some small losses and wear to the green paper wrapper, but the spine and flaps remain intact.
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.

These photographs come originally from the collection of Wendell Westover (1895-1960), who likely met Bourke-White during the years 1927 and 1931, when he was the advertising manager at Ludlum Steel Company in upstate New York.  Ludlum Steel, whose foundries Bourke-White photographed, was among the steelworks that provided building materials for the construction of the Chrysler Building.  The Margaret Bourke-White Papers at Syracuse University include warm correspondence between Westover and Bourke-White – whom he affectionately called ‘Peg’ or ‘Peggy’ – from 1931 to 1937.