Deborah Rogal
Departments:
Deborah Rogal joined the Photographs Department at Swann Galleries in 2006, and since 2020 has served as the department's Director.
She has presided over numerous sales of private collections of photo books and rare photographs, including the 70th anniversary sale, a celebration of the first photography auction not only at Swann but in the US, works from the estate of Evelyne Z. Daitz, and the Virginia Zabriskie Collection. In her tenure she has had a role in the sale of Edward S. Curtis' North American Indian, the first million dollar lot at Swann ($1,440,000 in October of 2012), and the elevation of photography in Swann's specialized multi-departmental sales of LGBTQ+ Art, Material Culture & History, the Artists of the WPA, and Focus on Women. She also actively contributes to the burgeoning vernacular photography market, introducing and contextualizing never-before-seen imagery uniquely offered at Swann.
Deborah works closely with collectors throughout the consignment and buying process, often traveling to visit collections. Her wide-ranging responsibilities also include market analysis, scholarly research, and writing. Deborah has lectured about collecting, and is an expert on the PBS television show Antiques Roadshow. She has a wide-ranging expertise, but holds special interest in Depression-era photography and photo books from all periods.
Her love of vernacular photography has resulted in a burgeoning collection of snapshots and a filled-to-capacity bookshelf--an occupational hazard.
Deborah graduated cum laude from Smith College in 2005 with a degree in Art History.
Deborah on our blog:
