Dan Silverman, Kaminski Auctions’ photography specialist has also put together a exceptional assortment of occupational and political themed daguerreotypes, albumens and gelatin silver prints for the sale, including images of a period copy daguerreotype of Abraham Lincoln, Henry Fox Talbot and a rare copy plate of Henry Clay. There are also several important mid-century baseball photographs including images of Jackie Robinson and the Brooklyn Dodgers, a circa 1900 photo of the Boston Reds Sox, and New York Yankees team photos to name a few.
A Walker Evans (1902-1975) portfolio of 11 vintage photographs, including a cityscape, desert landscape and nine other dust bowl images is the top lot of the sale with an estimate of $10,000-$15,000.
Evans, one of the most influential photographers of the 20th century, is famous for his work with the Farm Security Administration. He documented the effect of the the Great Depression on Americans in urban, farm and small town settings.
A rare period copy one-fourth plate daguerreotype of a “beardless”Abraham Lincoln is the second-highest value lot in the sale. The image of Lincoln is reversed, from the original taken by Alexander Hesler on June 3, 1860, at the Capitol Building in Springfield Ill., two weeks after his nomination by the Republican National Convention in Chicago. It measures 4 3/4 inches by 3 3/4 inches and is estimated at $7,000-$9,000. There is also a rare outdoor view of President Lincoln, by T.S. Hacker. Lincoln is shown before the State House, at the flag raising, dated Feb. 22, 1861, identified as 1029 Chestnut St., Philadelphia. It is valued at $5,500-$7,500.
Other important daguerreotypes include a pair of rare and important daguerreotypes, one-sixth plates, self portraits of the early American daguerreotypist John Bear. The lot includes a daguerreotype of his wife, split leather case, and a copy of Bear’s autobiography Life and Travels of John W. Bear, the Buckeye Blacksmith, 1873. There is an occupational of a young photographer, a bearded gentleman with giant hands holding a telescope and an occupational lot consisting of an exceptional one-fourth plate daguerreotype of the Rev. Daniel Parker Noyes of Ipswich, Mass., in a split leather case, along with a one-sixth plate daguerreotype of him with his ID and date of birth June 3, 1888, and date of death June 4, 1920. The lot also includes a cabinet card by Hastings of Boston, with identification on back, and also includes many handwritten tuition, room and board receipts from Yale University dated 1837 and 1838.
Highlights of the vintage photography also includes a large albumen photograph of N.W. Starr’s Commercial and Collegiate Institute, Yonkers, N.Y., by Stacy, 691 Broadway, New York City, circa 1860s Civil War Academy, valued at $1,000-$1,500, a group of three Matthew Brady (American 1823-1896), Views in the Navy Ordnance Yard, Washington, D.C., June, 1866, albumen print estimated at $800-$1,200, and a fine tintype of a gentleman holding a political campaign flag and torch for the Hayes-Wheeler 1876 presidential campaign and wearing a three corner hat. The image is valued at $600-$800.
A gelatin silver print titled Melancholic Tulips, by Andre Kertesz (Hungarian 1894- 1985) tops the modern photography entries on the first evening, signed on back, the image is valued at $6,000-$8,000. There is also a second Kertesz, Melancholic Tulips gelatin silver print of a different size in the sale.
Another interesting lot is comprised of 12 panoramic photographs of the building at the Panama Canal, circa 1912-1913, by the Lock Gates Manufacturing Co., and erected by McClintic-Marshall Construction Co. of Pittsburg. It is estimated at $2,500-$3,500.
There is also a group of four Lewis Hine (American 1874-1940), vintage gelatin silver prints, circa 1900-1916. The photographs are from the Child Labor Series and valued at $1,500-$2,500.
The second evening of the sale, Wednesday, Oct. 3, includes almost 50 lots of books, records and photographs from the estate of Walker Hancock, 20th century American sculptor and teacher. The offerings include his library, records and correspondence documenting his involvement in returning stolen works of art after WWII and his distinguished career as a sculptor, including a third scale model of his James Madison statue.
The 19th century portion of the auction features a daguerreotype of Allen Kramer, pioneer banker (Kramer & Nash) of Pittsburgh, and previously owned by Graham Nash of Crosby, Stills and Nash. Also in the second evening is a daguerreotype of Thaddeus Hyatt, abolitionist and a mammoth albumen of Yosemite National Park by Carlton Watkins, as well as several other Watkins.
Modern photographers include New York scenes by Bernice Abbott and vintage Clarence John Laughlin photos of New Orleans. For more information call 978-927-2223.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
