Ruth Orkin
(1921-1985)
American Girl in Florence, Italy 1951

Gelatin silver print, printed later, facsimile signature blindstamp in the margin, signed, titled and dated by Mary Engel, Orkin Estate Executor, in pencil on the Estate copyright credit reproduction limitation stamp on the verso.

image: 12 1/2 x 19in. (31.7 x 48.2cm.)
sheet: 16 x 20in. (40.5 x 50.8cm.)

This lot is located in Chicago.

Literature:

Engel and Gresh, Ruth Orkin: A Photo Spirit, Hatje Cantz, 2021, back cover and pp. 134-135

Perhaps Orkin's best-known image, American Girl in Florence, Italy was taken during a European trip and published a year later as part of a Cosmopolitan photo essay, “When You Travel Alone…”, offering tips on “money, men and morals to see you through a gay trip and a safe one.”

Other examples of Orkin classics can be seen elsewhere in the sale – lots 8, 53, 55, 68 and 124.

Neutral toned print on semi-gloss, double-weight paper with margins. Orkin's best-loved image, in excellent condition.

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.

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Laura Paterson

Director, Senior Specialist, Photographs

[email protected]312 280 1212

Ms. Paterson joined Hindman in 2022 and is a nearly 30-year veteran of the photography industry. She began her career in the Photographs Department at Christie’s in New York, and spent 20 years at the auction house becoming a Senior Specialist. Subsequently, she worked at Magnum Photos New York (a prestigious photojournalism collective founded by Robert Capa and Henri Cartier-Bresson in 1947) as US Cultural and Print Sales Director and Bonhams as Head of the Photographs Department. Ms. Paterson has extensive knowledge of photography from the 18th to 21st centuries, with a particular interest in works of the American West by Carleton Watkins and Ansel Adams.

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Ruth Orkin (1921-1985) American Girl in Florence, Italy 1951

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Ruth Orkin
(1921-1985)
American Girl in Florence, Italy 1951