Lot 276
[EARLY PHOTOGRAPHY]. A group of 3 photographs of African American subjects, incl. occupational and religious scenes taken by formerly enslaved African American photographer Thomas ASKEW (ca 1847-1914). Atlanta, GA.
Sale 1118 - African Americana
Feb 28, 2023
10:00AM ET
Live / Cincinnati
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Estimate
$700 -
900
Price Realized
$693
Sold prices are inclusive of Buyer’s Premium
Lot Description
[EARLY PHOTOGRAPHY]. A group of 3 photographs of African American subjects, incl. occupational and religious scenes taken by formerly enslaved African American photographer Thomas ASKEW (ca 1847-1914). Atlanta, GA.
7 ½ x 9 1/2 in. silver gelatin photographs on 11 x 14 in. cardstock mounts (ight toning to prints; chipping, some areas of loss to mounts). Each with Thomas Askew's Atlanta, GA, ink stamp on mount recto or verso.
Photographs include: Six young African American women, presumably nurses, gathered together behind a gentleman seated on the steps of a large building, possibly an institution. Presumably the building is part of Atlanta University. A carved inscription on the building indicates that it was erected in 1901 with a list of names below (significant stain to mount verso). -- A mixed group of men and women attending a lecture or church service. – A group of over twenty well-dressed African American laborers.
Atlanta-based photographer Thomas Askew's body of work included self portraits as well as portraits of his family and prominent members of the African American community. His photographs were included in W.E.B. DuBois's album entitled Types of American Negroes, which was compiled for the Exhibit of American Negroes at the Exposition Universelle held in Paris in 1900. Three years after Askew's death, his studio and equipment were destroyed by the Great Atlanta Fire of 1917.
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