Irving Penn, John F. Kennedy, Washington, D.C., 1960, gelatin silver print, printed 1984, 15 x 15in. Estimate: $25,000 – 35,000. © 1961 (renewed 1979) Condé Nast Publications Inc.
Irving Penn, John F. Kennedy, Washington, D.C., 1960, gelatin silver print, printed 1984, 15 x 15in. Estimate: $25,000 – 35,000. © 1961 (renewed 1979) Condé Nast Publications Inc.

Over the past two days, three important auctions of photographs were held at Christie’s New York, including two significant single-owner sales with dedicated individual catalogues, Three Decades with Irving Penn: Photographs from the Collection of Patricia McCabe and Selections From The Baio Collection of Photography as well as the various-owner Photographs sale. In their entirety, the sales totaled an impressive $9,298,875.

The strong success of Three Decades with Irving Penn: Photographs from the Collection of Patricia McCabe led the three sales, selling 100% by value and by lot on April 14th. The room was crowded with active bidding on the phone, online and in the room. The achievements continued on the 15th with the world auction record set for Eugene Atget’s Joueur d’Orgue which realized $686,500, and was the top lot of the sale series. The exciting day finished with the Photographs sale realizing $4,055,125.

Irving Penn (1917-2009), Train Sandwich Vendor, New York, 1951, platinum-palladium print, printed 1976. 19.3/8 x 14.7/8in. (49.8 x 48.3cm.) Estimate: $25,000 – 35,000. Copyright © 1951 (renewed 1979) Condé Nast Publications Inc.
Irving Penn (1917-2009), Train Sandwich Vendor, New York, 1951, platinum-palladium print, printed 1976. 19.3/8 x 14.7/8in. (49.8 x 48.3cm.) Estimate: $25,000 – 35,000. Copyright © 1951 (renewed 1979) Condé Nast Publications Inc.

Philippe Garner, International Head of Photographs, and Josh Holdeman, International Director, Photographs, comment: “With over $9.2 million realized we are extremely thrilled with the results of our three photography sales this week. The excellent results demonstrate a renewed confidence in the photography market. We are particularly pleased that the majority of photographs from Three Decades with Irving Penn: Photographs from the Collection of Patricia McCabe sold above their high estimate. In addition, we are delighted to report a new world auction record set by Eugene Atget with the sale of Joueur d’Orgue, from the Baio Collection of Photography.” Artdaily

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