Robert Frank

signed, titled, and dated '1956' in ink in the margin, the photographer's copyright stamp, with credit in ink, and annotations in pencil on the reverse, framed, Bloom Collection and Pace Wildenstein MacGill labels on the reverse, 1956, printed in the 1970s

Pace/MacGill Gallery, New York, 1997

The Americans, no. 30

Sarah Greenough, Looking In: Robert Frank’s The Americans, pp. 245 and 469, and Contact no. 30

'A Pageant Portfolio: One Man's U. S. A.,' Pageant, April 1958, p. 31

Tod Papageorge, Walker Evans and Robert Frank: An Essay on Influence, p. 49

Robert Frank: Story Lines, p. 206

Michael Shelden, 'Melancholy and Menace,' Telegraph Magazine, 3 May 2008, p. 32

This print, on double-weight paper with a surface sheen, is in generally excellent condition. In raking light, the following are visible: a 1/2-inch, very subtle crease in the lower left quadrant; a few small, faint impressions which do not appear to break the emulsion; and some scattered deposits of indeterminate nature, possibly original retouching. The margin corners and edges are lightly bumped, with occasional minor chipping. The top paper-ply is folded back at the tip of the lower right margin corner. There are some scattered, small deposits of indeterminate nature on the reverse. The copyright stamp is annotated 'Robert Frank' in an unidentified hand in ink, and other annotations in various unidentified hands in pencil are as follows: 'U. S. 30 BETWEEN OGALLALA AND N. PLATTE, NEBRASKA,' 'AMERICANS 30,' 'ARCHIVE 2801,' 'AMERICANS,' 'JA509-6,' 'RF.A.01.030.2,' '2801' (underlined), '228,' '5-2 30' (with 2 30 crossed out in pencil), and '21985' (somewhat erased). It is believed that only 5 other prints of this image have previously been offered at auction.
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.