Lewis Hine Photographs - Collection Value

About Prints Hine Index	Value to whom?
The value of anything, of course, is completely relative to any individual at any given time, which follows Albert Einstein’s guidelines quite nicely. If you’ve not visited the description of this group of rare prints, then we suggest you do so now by selecting ABOUT PRINTS to the left and then return here. There should be no doubt as to how and why these prints came into being. The first set was produced from a selection of plates for possible reproduction in Judy Gutman’s book about Lewis Hine. [A review of that book shows three of these images were printed!] The second set was produced for retention by the George Eastman House and the final third set was produced in lieu of pay to the photographer who made them by grant of the Director at the time, Beaumont Newhall. All prints were archivally processed, which is quite unlikely for prints made during Hine's lifetime. A rubber stamp impression exists on the back of each print and mount, the third set only, that clearly states that the set is in fact the third set and includes the words: “GLASS PLATE NEGATIVE BY LEWIS HINE CONTACT PRINT BY DON EDDY ca. 1963 PRINT No. 3 of 3.” Not too long ago there was a flurry of activity relative to Hine’s prints and possible vintage forgeries. [See extensive article by Richard B. Woodward, June 2003, The Atlantic Monthly, a PDF file available. Interestingly enough there was no mention of fake Ellis Island Immigrants! We can assure you that these prints are absolutely genuine and made directly from Hine’s glass plates. The entire plate is readily visible with no cropping of the images. Numbers can be seen on several along the edges thus fulfilling confirmation of authenticity. The estimated value, made in 1994, based upon print sales from the three primary auction houses, mentioned in ABOUT PRINTS, for various Hine photographs of workers, street scenes, Empire State Building, and industrial scenes coul not be made since no immigrant sales were found. This set may be the largest, high quality prints of Ellis Island immigrants in existence. Should you have serious concerns for purchase or exhibiting them, please feel free to contact us.

Value to whom?

The value of anything, of course, is completely relative to any individual at any given time, which follows Albert Einstein’s guidelines quite nicely. If you’ve not visited the description of this group of rare prints, then we suggest you do so now by selecting ABOUT PRINTS to the left and then return here. There should be no doubt as to how and why these prints came into being.

The first set was produced from a selection of plates for possible reproduction in Judy Gutman’s book about Lewis Hine. [A review of that book shows three of these images were printed!] The second set was produced for retention by the George Eastman House and the final third set was produced in lieu of pay to the photographer who made them by grant of the Director at the time, Beaumont Newhall. All prints were archivally processed, which is quite unlikely for prints made during Hine's lifetime.

A rubber stamp impression exists on the back of each print and mount, the third set only, that clearly states that the set is in fact the third set and includes the words: “GLASS PLATE NEGATIVE BY LEWIS HINE CONTACT PRINT BY DON EDDY ca. 1963 PRINT No. 3 of 3.”

Not too long ago there was a flurry of activity relative to Hine’s prints and possible vintage forgeries. [See extensive article by Richard B. Woodward, June 2003, The Atlantic Monthly, a PDF file available. Interestingly enough there was no mention of fake Ellis Island Immigrants! We can assure you that these prints are absolutely genuine and made directly from Hine’s glass plates. The entire plate is readily visible with no cropping of the images. Numbers can be seen on several along the edges thus fulfilling confirmation of authenticity.

The estimated value, made in 1994, based upon print sales from the three primary auction houses, mentioned in ABOUT PRINTS, for various Hine photographs of workers, street scenes, Empire State Building, and industrial scenes coul not be made since no immigrant sales were found. This set may be the largest, high quality prints of Ellis Island immigrants in existence.

Should you have serious concerns for purchase or exhibiting them, please feel free to contact us.