The Fall photography auction season in New York swings into gear toward the end of this month, beginning with a series of three sales at Christie’s on the 29th. The first auction is a single owner sale from the collection of Robert L. Forbes. Highlights include a deep selection of works by Irving Penn (including small trades, nudes, images from Cuzco, corner portraits, fashion, and cigarettes), as well as a varied run of Harry Callahan’s Eleanor nudes (all later prints). Overall, there are a total of 62 lots on offer, with a Total High Estimate of $1637500.
Here’s the statistical breakdown:
| Preview Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Total Low Lots (high estimate up to and including $10000) | 18 |
| Total Low Estimate (sum of high estimates of low lots) | $130500 |
| Total Mid Lots (high estimate between $10000 and $50000) | 39 |
| Total Mid Estimate | $897000 |
| Total High Lots (high estimate above $50000) | 5 |
| Total High Estimate | $610000 |
The top lot by High estimate is lot 10, Irving Penn, Harlequin Dress (Lisa Fonssagrives-Penn), 1950/1979, estimated at $200000-300000.
Here’s the list of photographers with three or more lots in the sale, along with the number of lots on offer:
| Multiple Lots For Sale | |
|---|---|
| Irving Penn | 30 |
| Harry Callahan | 13 |
| Weegee | 3 |
Other lots of interest include lot 10, Irving Penn, Vionnet Dress With Fan, New York, 1974/1975-1976, estimated at $20000-30000 (image above, left, via Christie’s), lot 26, Harry Callahan, Eleanor, Aix-en-Provence, France, 1957-1958/later, estimated at $6000-8000 (image above, middle, via Christie’s), and lot 34, Irving Penn, Patissiers, Paris, 1950/1976, estimated at $40000-60000 (image above, right, via Christie’s).
The complete lot by lot catalog can be found here.
