Auction Highlights: Fine Photographs — December 17, 2024

Timed Auction — Bidding Now Open!
Lots Begin Closing December 17, 2024

This December, we are pleased to offer more than 100 lots from the Collection of Neil Robert Berzak. Rich in twentieth-century masters, this collection features rare and important photographs at accessible entry points from new and seasoned collectors. Highlights include Ansel Adams’ Portfolio Four: What Majestic Word, In Memory of Russell Varian, 1963, Julia Margaret Cameron’s signed portrait Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 1869, George A. Tice’s Petit’s Mobil Station and Watertower, Cherry Hill, N.J., 1974, printed 1979, and Roman Vishniac’s The Vanished World portfolio, 1936-38, printed 1977, among much more.

Numerous iconic Edward Weston photographs printed by Cole Weston are featured in the collection, including Nude on Sand, Oceano, 1936, printed circa 1980s; Pepper No. 30, 1930, printed circa 1980s; and Nude (Charis, Santa Monica), 1936, printed 1970s. Other notable prints are a rare suite of Arthur Tress’ work from the series Shadow, 1974, printed 1975; Marc Riboud’s The Painter of the Eiffel Tower, Paris, 1953, printed 1980s; and Timothy O’Sullivan’s Aboriginal Life Among the Navajo Indians, New Mexico, 1873.

An amateur photographer for more than 70 years, Berzak loved photography and amassed a large and diverse collection that ranged from daguerreotypes to modern photographers. He studied with Ansel Adams in the 1960s and became friendly with many famous photographers of the 1960s and 1970s. Berzak also amassed a large collection of aviation photography. He won many amateur photography competitions and was involved with and president of the Fresh Meadows Camera Club. He was an architect in New York City.

Highlights from the Collection of Neil Robert Berzak

Ansel Adams, *Portfolio Four: “What Majestic Word, In Memory of Russell Varian.”*, portfolio with 15 photographs, silver prints, 1963. Estimate $50,000 to $75,000.

Julia Margaret Cameron, *Alfred, Lord Tennyson*, albumen print, 1869. Estimate $10,000 to $15,000.

George A. Tice, *Petit’s Mobil Station and Watertower, Cherry Hill, N.J.*, silver print, 1974, printed 1979. Estimate $8,000 to $12,000.

Roman Vishniac, *The Vanished World*, portfolio with 12 photographs, silver prints, 1936–38, printed 1977. Estimate $10,000 to $15,000.

Edward Weston, *Nude on Sand, Oceano*, silver print, 1936, printed 1980s by Cole Weston. Estimate $3,000 to $4,500.

Edward Weston, *Pepper No. 30*, silver print, 1930, printed 1980s by Cole Weston. Estimate $5,000 to $7,500.

Edward Weston, *Nude (Charis, Santa Monica)*, silver print, 1936, printed 1970s by Cole Weston. Estimate $6,000 to $9,000.

Arthur Tress, *Suite of 15 master set photographs from Shadow*, silver prints, 1974, printed 1975. Estimate $10,000 to $15,000.

Marc Riboud, *The painter of the Eiffel Tower, Paris*, silver print, 1953, printed 1980s. Estimate $3,000 to $4,500.

Timothy O’Sullivan, *Aboriginal Life Among the Navajo Indians, New Mexico*, albumen print, 1873. Estimate $8,000 to $12,000.

Additional Works of Note Featured in the Auction

The sale also includes numerous works from various owners, including work by Dorothea Lange, Gordon Parks, Danny Lyon, Sheila Metzner, George Platt Lynes, Patti Smith, Berenice Abbott, Kiichi Asano, Yoshiyuki Iwase, Todd Webb, and many more.