Art News

Classic Photographs at Swann Galleries Draw International Bidders

artwork: Manuel Alvarez Bravo - "La Buena fama durmiendo (The Good Reputation Sleeping)", detail, 1939, - Silver gelatin print, 8 x 10". Sold for $12,000 at Swann Galleries’ October 18th auction of Fine Photographs in New York.


NEW YORK, N.Y.- Swann Galleries’ October 18 auction of Fine Photographs opened with a frenzy of bids for early photographic albums, and interest remained high as the sale continued with classic 20th-century images, iconic examples of photojournalism and contemporary art. Along the way several auction records were set. Daile Kaplan, Vice President and Director of Photographs at Swann, said, “We are delighted with the results of this auction, in which we realized multiple world records for a host of 19th and 20th century photographs. This stellar performance underscores the growing interest in classical photography.” The sale’s top lot was Berenice Abbott’s dazzling Retrospective Portfolio, with 50 large-format silver prints, including the artist’s celebrated New York City views, 1930-60, printed 1982, which brought a record $90,000.