Date: Fri 30-Oct-1998

Publication: Ant

Author: DONNAM

Quick Words:

Be-Hold

Full Text:

Imagery Of The West At Be-Hold

w/cut

By Rita Eaton

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- Vintage photographic images from the beginnings of

photography to the early Twentieth Century were the subject of an absentee

auction held by Be-hold. The September 24th deadline was preceded by a preview

in New York City on September 11 at the Plaza 50 Hotel. The strong response

drew 200 interested inquiries from bidders, 100 of whom were successful in

winning one or more lots.

Leading the sale with a $3,000 winning bid was a mammoth plate albumen print

of Yosemite by Muybridge, which sold at the low estimate.

Thirty-one lots of daguerreotypes with interesting and artistically presented

subject matter included a sixth-plate of a white girl with her black servant,

who was only slightly older, standing behind her. The lot almost doubled its

$850 minimum to reach $1,600. A quarter-plate of two sisters made $985; a

sixth-plate of a militia officer, the plate having gilded detailing, passed

its $400 minimum to fetch $905; a ninth plate of a Civil War sailor in a camp

scene case sold at $495; an early sixth-plate by the brief partnership of

Litch & Whipple was purchased at $770; and a rare image of a Mexican War

officer with his sword, having a $3,500 reserve, was passed.

Of a selection of rare Union cases, "Washington Facing Right" sold at $790;

and "The Highland Chief," containing a Civil War tintype, achieved $455.

Unexpected results from the bids on a collection of cartes-de-visite related

to early circus and side show subjects, with a generous offering of Barnum's

"Freaks," showed that this is becoming an intensely collected category. A pair

of images of black Siamese twins brought $505; an advertisement for "Idaletta

& Wallace," supposedly a man-and-woman fish, rose to $725; an image of Hoomio

and Iola, the "Wild Australian Children," went out at $400; a "living

skeleton" woman's image sold at $405; and at the opposite extreme, a group of

eight obese women exhibited at side shows, sold at the same price.

A photo of the trick rider Louise Tourniere rose from a minimum bid of $125 to

$550; and a pair of cabinet cards, slightly older, of "Krao, the Missing Link"

pictured with his discoverer, along with a rare pamphlet, was purchased at

$2,100.

Imagery of the American West of American Indians continued to be very strong.

The larger than usual platinum print by Rinehart "American Horse" brought

$1,700, while other Rineharts went out at prices from $800 to $1,200. A large

Curtis gravure made $1,500, and a famous image of Che Guavera, signed and

endorsed by the photographer, brought $900. A portrait of Edward Weston by his

son Brett Weston went out at $1,500.

Be-hold does not charge a buyer's premium.