Gunsmith's Shop, NYC, 1937

Born in Springfield, OH (1898-1991)

Known for:
"Changing New York" A Federal Works Project documenting NY in the 1930s.
Rescued Eugene Atget's glass plate negatives for Museum of Modern Art.

Most Popular Images:
"New York at Night", "Wall Street", "James Joyce Portrait".

Did you know ... ?
• Berenice Abbott worked as Man Ray’s assistant in Paris.
• In 1936, Abbott joined with Paul Strand to establish the Photo League.

Quote:
“The more you do, the more you realize there is to do, what a vast subject the metropolis is, and how the work of photographing it could go on forever.”

General Format:
7 1/2” x 9”, 8” x 10”, 16” x 20" silver gelatin prints.

How many photographs exist?
1980 portfolios in editions of 100. About 200 "NY at Night". Others are 50 or less.

Prices:
$2,500-$25,000

How are the photographs printed and signed?
Either au verso (back of photograph) or au recto (front of photograph), or both.

Vintage:
A few vintage photographs are available. Vintage means that the print date is at or near the same time as the negative date.

Technical Information:
Abbott did studies of her subjects with a hand-held camera then came back with an 8” x 10” camera to take the final photograph.

Portfolios:
Berenice Abbott’s New York I, II, III, IV, V. Produced in 1980-1982. Large Format.

Books - In Print:
Berenice Abbott: Changing New York, The Complete WPA Project.

Availability:
A good selection of photographs by Bernice Abbott is available.

Price History:
1975: $300
1985: $1,000-$10,000
1995: $2,000-$20,000

Statue Shop, NYC, 1935

Authenticity is guaranteed. Prices and availability are subject to change without prior notice.

Email us for ordering information

Back to photographers index