In 1861, the stage actress Sarah Bernhardt, then 17, posed for the famous photographer Félix Nadar. She was just beginning her extraordinary and successful career. This salt print portrait will offered at The Photography Show ‘presented by AIPAD’ in New York on May 19-22 by Keith de Lellis Gallery, also New York, for a mid-five-figure sum.
Photo London runs from May 12-15 at Somerset House hosting around 40 international galleries, while The Photography Show in New York organised by the Association of International Photography Art Dealers (AIPAD) returns for its 41st edition, with 49 galleries from eight countries, running from May 19-22 at Center415 on 5th Avenue.
Portrait of Woman and Child, 1870s, a hand-coloured albumen silver print from the Pun Lun Studio, available at The Photography Show ‘presented by AIPAD’ in New York on May 19-22 from The 19th Century Rare Book & Photograph Shop in New York.
Both fairs are dominated by Modern and Contemporary works that are the strongest collecting area (this year the New York show runs concurrently with Frieze New York and other satellite fairs) but there will be more than a smattering of early 20th century and 19th century works on show too.
Among the dealers bringing vintage and historical photographs to this year’s Photo London (May 12-15 at Somerset House) is Robert Hershkowitz, who includes among his offerings this view of the Bridge of Sighs, Cambridge, by pioneering photographer William Henry Fox Talbot (1800- 77). Offered for £40,000, the salt print on paper negative dates to c.1844.
A number of related auctions are concentrated around Photo London in particular. Highlights from a clutch of UK sales in April and May include Chiswick Auctions, Special Auction Services, Flints, Tennants and Dominic Winter.
One new summer event also worth noting in the calendar is The Classic Photograph Fair that premieres at Conway Hall, Red Lion Square, WC1 on June 12. Organised by specialist dealer Daniella Dangoor together with Austin Farahar, photography specialist at Chiswick Auctions, the aim is to reinvigorate London’s tabletop photography fairs.
More on this event in a future issue.
