ARTIST: W. Eugene Smith (Wichita, Kansas & Tucson, Arizona, 1918 - 1978)
TITLE: Listening to a Play-Back at the Met, 1947
SIZE: Matting: 20" x 16", Image: 9 1/2" x 13 3/8"
MEDIUM: Gelatin Silver Print
DESCRIPTION: Up for auction is a rare gelatin silver print by renowned photographer W. Eugene Smith picturing Helen Traubel (left) and Herta Glaz (right) in a recording booth listening to their duet from the opera Tristan und Isolde. The photograph is one of a series of photographs Smith took of musicians for Life Magazine. I believe, but I am not certain, this photograph is from the 1947 recording of Traubel and Glaz's duet. The photograph measures 9 1/2' x 13 3/8". The photograph is dry-mounted to a black backing board that measures 20" x 16". This is a one-of-a-kind print. There are three stamps on the back of the print. The top stamp reads: 'Credit W. Eugene Smith, West Street, New York City.' The second stamp reads: 'This Photograph May Not Be Reproduced without written consent of W. Eugene Smith.' The bottom stamp reads: 'Personal Exhibition Print Returnable on Demand.'
CONDITION: The print is in overall good condition. There is mild silver mirroring in the upper left corner and far left side. There are a few pinpoint indentations in the upper left corner, only visible under raking light. There are scattered small chips to the print edges, see photos. The photograph is dry mounted to black board. The corners of the board are bumped. There are a few scratches to the mount that do not affect the image.