Fine Printed Books & Manuscripts, Including Americana

13 x 10 in. gelatin silver print mounted on board, signed by Abbott at lower right corner with photographer's stamp and address on verso (toning and fading at margins, very light soiling). Provenance: David Hayman, Professor of English and Comparative Literature at the University of Wisconsin.

Berenice Abbott was considered to be one of the premier portrait photographers in Paris during the 1920s, having trained under Dada photographer Man Ray. Her subjects tended towards artists and expatriates, counting among her best known subjects Jean Cocteau, Peggy Guggenheim, and James Joyce. She photographed Joyce on two occasions, the first in 1926 at his home in Paris and the second two years later in her studio. At the time of the sitting Joyce was struggling with teeth and eye problems and was struggling through completion of one of his best-known works, Finnegans Wake.

[With:] A group of 3 art prints depicting James Joyce, comprising:

COUGHLIN, Jack (b. 1932). James Joyce. Etched portrait signed by artist at lower right corner. Artist proof. Framed and matted (not examined out of frame, overall 16 x 15 1/2 in.)

JANSSEN, Horst (1929-1995). James Joyce. Etched portrait signed by artist at lower right corner. Artist proof. Framed (not examined out of frame, overall 15 3/4 x 12 1/4 in.)

WELLS, Charles (b. 1935). James Joyce. Etching and aquatint signed by artist at lower right corner. Artist proof. Framed and matted (not examined out of frame, overall 28 x 25 in.)