Original prints by photography legends can cost you thousands of dollars. But consider the purchase of a vintage press photograph. These pictures by the same renowned photographers were used in leading newspapers and magazines. They do show their age- marked on the front with cropping lines, folded corners, creases and often stamped on the back with dates & instructions. The good news is that they sell for $100- $1000. Check out the few I came across-
Born in New Zealand, photographer George Silk joined the Life Magazine staff in 1943 and remained until the publication folded in 1972. He would be named ‘Photographer of the Year’ four times by the National Press Photographers Association. In this shot, World War ll French troops move into the bombed out town of Castleforte in May 1944. (8 x 10 print, sold on ebay- $99.00)
W. Eugene Smith’s ‘Bataan Nurse Who Came Back’ was part of a larger article in the Christmas 1944 issue of Life Magazine. After the war, Smith wrote that many of his images of wounded G.I.s and the medical community were among his best work. (7 x 9 print, sold on ebay- $130.00)
Photojournalist Robert Capa covered five wars in eighteen years. In 1954, he was tragically killed by a land mine while on assignment in North Vietnam photographing French soldiers. This picture of a Sicilian offering an American G.I. some wine was for Illustrated Magazine in 1944. (7 x 9 print, sold on ebay- $577.00)
Included in the book ‘Family of Man’ is this portrait of wife and husband by Life Magazine photographer John Phillips. Phillips has been described as “…a master of lenses…” No argument here. ( 8 x 10 print, currently on ebay- $99.00)
Who hasn’t heard of fashion photographer Richard Avedon? He would spend a lifetime using his camera to redefine America’s concept of beauty and style. Here is his iconic picture of Jean Shrimpton in 1965. A later newspaper article stamped its usage on December 31, 1978. (8 x 10 print, sold on ebay- $538.00)
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Very cool. And I am one of the ones who have never heard of the famous photographers! Learn something new every day.
These are great shots and great deals. I actually think they are more interesting and more valuable; that is they have a historic value since newspapers do everything digitally now. These are antiques in many ways. I adore Eugene Smith’s Pittsburgh photos. And I believe the photo of the two children holding hands and coming out of the woods into the light (in the Family of Man) is also one of his pix.
Linda- I’ve been reading/looking at a lot of photographer’s work…including W. Eugene Smith. I just finished two books by/about him…’W. Eugene Smith: Photographs 1934-1975′ & ‘Let Truth Be The Prejudice: W. Eugene Smith, His Life and Photographs’…both available through Amazon.
PS- I keep checking back on ebay for press photos…waiting for just the right ones to purchase.
Thanks for posting. I love vintage stuff, and history as well. I did a double-take when I saw a familiar place. That picture of “Bataan Nurse who Came Back” is pretty interesting since I’m from Phil. It’s amazing how old stories like these can be made known through these lovely vintage photos.
Rouenna- I love spending time looking at images…especially by great photographers like these.