Landmark Books in All Fields
ItemID: #26680
Cost: $6,500.00

Autograph letter - Signed . WITH: Photograph - Signed

Alfred Stieglitz

“I AM ASHAMED AND AN OLD MAN SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE ASHAMED”: SUPERB LETTER FROM ACCLAIMED PHOTOGRAPHER ALFRED STIEGLITZ TO HIS FRIEND, PHOTOGRAPHER LOTTE JACOBI, FRAMED WITH A WONDERFUL PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAIT OF ALFRED STIEGLITZ SIGNED BY LOTTE JACOBI

STIEGLITZ, Alfred and JACOBI, Lotte. Autograph letter signed. WITH: Photograph signed. New York, December 30, 1939. Two quarto leaves, each measuring 8 by 10 inches; pp. 2; handsomely framed with photographic portrait measuring 7 by 9-1/2 inches, entire piece measures 34 by 19-1/2 inches. $6500.

Fine 1939 autograph letter apologizing for the late return of photographer Lotte Jacobi's proofs, boldly written and signed by Alfred Stieglitz, handsomely framed with an original photographic portrait of Stieglitz, signed by Lotte Jacobi.

In this warm letter to Jacobi, influential photographer Alfred Stieglitz apologizes for the late return of portrait proofs she had sent to him. The letter, dated New York, December 30, 1939, reads in full: "My dear Lotte Jacobi: I am ashamed and an old man should not have to be ashamed. But I am ashamed. This morning I find buried under a heap of papers your proofs of me & I in the belief that I had sent them to you long ago. Really a few days after you brought them. And that I had written to you. You see the state I am in. Inexcusable—and yet I offer no excuses. Merely repeat I am ashamed. Some day you must drop in & I'll tell you about the proofs. The one we all like the best. Will you, can you, ever forgive me. I hope you are having pleasurable holidays. For me they are like other days. I have been at The [American] Place daily. My best wishes for 1940! Cordially, Alfred Stieglitz." The proofs in question are from a 1938 session; the photograph here is one taken by Jacobi during this session. Jacobi, who immigrated from Germany to New York in 1935, photographed many of the best-known photographers of the period, including Berenice Abbott, Nancy Newhall, Barbara Morgan, and of course, Stieglitz himself, who was an important influence on the development of Jacobi's portrait work. Steiglitz is often credited with raising the status of photography in America to an art form as well as bringing many European avant-garde artists to America. Steiglitz was the husband of Georgia O'Keeffe. While their marriage ended in divorce, O'Keeffe was with him when he died and took responsibility for his ashes. With envelope addressed in Stieglitz's hand in mylar sleeve affixed to rear of framed piece.

Fine condition, handsomely framed. A superb piece.

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