The Pride Sale

An Exploration & Celebration of the Art, Influence & History of the LGBTQ+ Community


Our first Pride Sale, being held in the same month as WorldPride and the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising, will offer books, manuscripts, photographs, archives, art and objects from the last two centuries, chronicling the lives of luminaries and the history of movements, parades and protests.

Among featured artists and writers are James Baldwin, Djuna Barnes, Paul Cadmus, Jean Cocteau, Candy Darling, Jared French, Christian Holstad, Glenn Ligon, Avel de Knight, Gertrude Stein, Oscar Wilde, Tennessee Williams and Walt Whitman. Highlights include original artwork for the Chelsea Boys comic strip, a Peter Hujar portrait of David Wojnarowicz, Robert Mapplethorpe’s Z Portfolio and letters from Harvey Milk.

An Introduction to the Catalogue by Eric Marcus

Swann Galleries and participating consignors will be donating a portion of their commissions to benefit The Leslie-Lohman Museum in New York City.

David Wojnarowicz, Neon Dancer, postcard signed to Jim Fouratt, 1982.

Exhibition On View June 15 – June 20

The exhibition is free to attend and open to the public. We welcome special and educational groups with advance notice–send an inquiry to rsvp@swanngalleries.com


Exhibition Hours

Saturday, June 15 – 12 pm to 5 pm

Monday, June 17 – 10 am to 6 pm

Tuesday, June 18 – 10 am to 6 pm

Wednesday, June 19 – 10 am to 6 pm

Thursday, June 20 – 10 am to 12 pm


Complete Catalogue

19th-Century Writers

Walt Whitman, Memoranda During the War, Remembrance Copy, inscribed to Peter Doyle, from “the author with his love,” Camden, NJ, 1875-76. 
Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest, A Trivial Comedy for Serious People, extra-limited first edition, signed, London, 1899. 

Early-20th-Century Artists

Gerda Wegener, Two Women in a Window, watercolor, chalk & wash, circa 1920.
Jared French, Face to Face, casein on canvas mounted on panel, 1949. 
James Baldwin, Giovanni’s Room, first edition, presentation copy, New York, 1956.

Post-Stonewall Art & Activism

JEB (Joan E. Biren), Ginger and Catherine, silver print, 1972.
Donna Gottschalk, Sisterhood Feels Good, poster published by Times Change Press, 1971.
Su Negrin, Gay Liberation, photograph by Peter Hujar, poster published by Times Change Press, 1970.
Archive of 120 photographs by Hank O’Neal, depicting Pride parades in New York City, each annotated on verso by Allen Ginsberg, 1970s. Pictured here is LGBTQ+ activist Marsha P. Johnson – inscription reads: “If I keep dressing up like this I’ll save the world from Nuclear Apocalypse. But will anyone love me for it? I’ll save the world anyway. I know what looks good.”

Political Figures & Key Moments

Harvey Milk, Autograph Letter Signed, as acting Mayor of San Francisco, March 7, 1978.

Contemporary Artists

Robert Mapplethorpe, Z Portfolio, complete with 13 silver prints, 1981.
Glenn Ligon, Untitled, etching & aquatint, 1992.

Thank You

We are grateful to the consignors of this sale, most of whom are members of the LGBTQ+ community, for their time and consideration in making this auction a reality.


Questions?

Contact pride@swanngalleries.com

Consignment Inquiries

Auction Schedule

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