A fine rare proof impression, printed with a light veil of plate tone.

This is one of a small number of proofs that Bishop personally printed in 1940. In 1978 an edition of 50 was printed professionally. The vast majority of impressions of Strap Hangers found today on the market from the 1978 edition. Proof examples, now highly coveted by collectors, have an atmospheric character that the later impressions lack.

Bishop was of course a member of the Union Square group of New York artists, an informal circle of friends including Reginald Marsh, Armin Landeck, Raphael Soyer, and Yasuo Kuniyoshi. Virtually all her prints were figure studies. In the early years her printmaking was focused on etching; later she added aquatint to her repertoire.