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• Issue #71
• Article

Bonhams & Butterfields is having its Fine Photography sale on Monday, April 19th at 3pm. There are more than 200 lots in the sale.

Highlights include an Edward Curtis, "The North America Indian", volumes 16 &17 of approximately 145 small-format photogravures (estimate $17,000-19,000). Diane Arbus's prints are expected to do well, particularly "Russian Midget Friends in Living Room on 100th St. N.Y.C." ($3,000-5,000) and Untitled (3), 1970 ($3,000-5,000). The three Harry Callahan's--"Eleanor (Silhouette)" ($2,000-3,000), "Chicago" ($1,000-1,500), and "Eleanor, Port Huron" ($3,000-4,000)--have had good interest according to the auctioneers.

The always-popular bromoil transfer print by Prof. Rudolf Koppitz, "Bewegungsstudie (Movement Study)", 1926 is estimated at ($40,000-60,000). This print has been in the same Bay Area family, who were avid art collectors, since the beginning of the 20th century. It may have been purchased during the time when Koppitz--along with other European photographs--had their work included in several exhibitions held at the California Palace of the Legion of Honor Museum, San Francisco in 1926 and 1927.

There are a number of nude photographs in the sale particularly by Sally Mann, Jock Sturges, and Brett Weston. Some of the more provocative images are Andres Serrano's cibachrome print, "Budapest (Prostitute and Client)", 1994 ($5,000-7,000) and Robert Mapplethorpe's "Self-Portrait" from the X Portfolio ($3,000-4,000). The sale ends with a portfolio of 15 prints of Baja California by Brett Weston ($8,000-12,000) and a splashy dye-destruction print by Sandy Skoglund, Fox Games ($12,000-18,000).

Bonhams & Butterfields is located at 220 San Bruno Ave., San Francisco, CA, phone: 415-503-3259. The preview is from April 16-18, Friday-Sunday from 10 am-5 pm; and the auction (Session II - Fine Photographs) will be held on April 19, Monday, starting at 3 pm. For further information email: judith.eurich@bonhams.com .

To view the catalogue online, go to: http://www.butterfields.com/areas/prints/7525k/FinePhotographs1.htm .