"Untitled, (Boxers)"

James VanDerZee was born in Lenox, MA. in 1886. He died in New York in 1983.

Known for:
Sixty-year visual documentation of Harlem life and the Harlem Renaissance. James VanDerZee’s artistic studio portraits and photographs of family and civic groups provide a vibrant history of African-Americans in the 20th century in New York City.

Most Popular Images:
“Nude, Harlem”; “Wedding Couple”; “Christmas, 1930”; “My Corsage”.

Did you know ... ?
• VanDerZee's parents worked as the maid and butler for president Ulysses S. Grant.
• Marcus Garvey commissioned VanDerZee to capture the African-American experience for the Universal Negro Improvement Association.
• A 1967 NY Museum of Modern Art exhibit introduced VanDerZee’s photographs to the world.

Quote:
"Sometimes the photographs seemed to be more valuable to me than they did to the people I was photographing because I put my heart and soul into them."

General Format:
8” x 10”, 5” x 7” silver gelatin prints.

How many photographs exist?
Very small editions (1-10) except the 1974 portfolio, edition of 75.

Prices:
$2,500-$17,500

How are the photographs printed and signed?
Some signed on negative. Many stamped au verso (back of photograph).

Vintage:
Yes

Portfolio:
VanDerZee, published in 1974 by Lunn, LTD.

Books - In Print (order yours now!):
VanDerZee: Photographer 1886-1983.

Availability:
A Gallery for Fine Photography has a great selection of photographs available.

Price History:
1976: $350
1986: $500-$2,000
1996: $750-$7,000
2001: $950-$20,000

"Famous Evie Jessie and her choir"