Alfred Stieglitz Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles
ALFRED STIEGLITZ
Born: January 1, 1864 in Hoboken, New Jersey
Died: July 13, 1946 in New York City, New York
Died: July 13, 1946 in New York City, New York
Innovative American photographer, editor and proponent of the avant-garde, Alfred Steiglitz (1864-1946) wrote and signed this letter just two weeks before his 70th birthday (January 1, 1933). At this time, Stieglitz' friend and author Dorothy Norman was writing a book to celebrate his genius. America and Alfred Stieglitz, A Collective Portrait was finally published that December. Coinciding with the book's release, Stieglitz held an exhibition of new photography as well as new prints from old negatives he had uncovered from attic storage. He had also stored in his attic a great many past issues of his fine arts magazine, Camera Work (1903-1917). Most of these issues were incomplete sets, depleted of the photographic plates mentioned in this letter, which he would gradually sell or give away to grateful guests. As the plates were photogravures (a process of printing from an etched metal plate) from the original negatives, their value had increased to the equivalence of an original print. Consequently, during his own lifetime, these historically important plates were becoming quite rare and, in some cases, possibly "priceless". Stieglitz, who is known as "the father of American photography", fought for recognition of photography as a major art form. A technical master with the camera, he revolutionized photography, changing it from a mere recorder of images into a forceful new medium in the creative arts. As an innovative leader in this burgeoning art, Stieglitz eventually gravitated to the promotion of photography on a large scale. Camera Work chronicled his ascent from the established norms of photography and art to the producer of, and impassioned advocate for, experimentation in all the arts. He was the first photographer to have a major museum (New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art) stage an exhibit of his work. In 1924, Stieglitz married important modernist painter Georgia O'Keeffe, who was also the subject of many of his photos.
Film Credits
2001-American-Masters (in person)
Style
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ALFRED STIEGLITZ - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 05/25/1915 - HFSID 131627ALS: "Stieglitz" on verso of 5½x3¼ postcard. New York, 1915 May 25. Addressed by Stieglitz to: "Horace Traubel/Editor 'The Conservator'/Philadelphia,/Pa." In full: "Don't count on me to speak. I'm no speaker. I prefer to listen as I am tired beyond words.…"
Sale Price $1,190.00
$1,400.00
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ALFRED STIEGLITZ - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 08/22/1931 - HFSID 131688ALS: "Ever your old/Alf", 3p, 8½x11. Lake George, New York 1931 August 22. To "Dear Sime". In full: "Naturally I was glad to hear from you so fully. I would have written at once but you know about the best of intentions, etc.…"
Sale Price $2,550.00
$3,000.00
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ALFRED STIEGLITZ - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 12/18/1933 - HFSID 347987Signed autograph letter to a biographer concerning photographic plates missing from his collection Autograph Letter signed: "Alfred Stieglitz", 2 pages, 8½x11, front and verso (hinged to show both sides). New York City, 1933 December 18.
Sale Price $4,675.00
$5,500.00
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ALFRED STIEGLITZ - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 12/19/1917 - HFSID 154719Autograph Letter signed: "Alfred/Stieglitz," 1p, 8x3¾. No place, 1917 December 19. To "Traubel Birthday Committee". Print from an Eli Nadelman Exhibition on verso (marked over for use as envelope). Pencil address (unknown hand): "Horace Traubel".
Sale Price $2,762.50
$3,250.00
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ALFRED STIEGLITZ - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 04/23/1917 - HFSID 131628Alfred Stieglitz sends a typed letter about World War I. TLS: "cordially & affectionately/Yours/Stieglitz," 1p, 8½x11. New York, 1917 April 23. Seventeen days after the United States entered WWI, the great American photographer writes to Horace Traubel.
Sale Price $1,190.00
$1,400.00