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Edward Sheriff Curtis (American, 1868–1952)
LOT ID: 65562
At the Old Well - Acoma, 1904

Other, Goldtone
11 х 14 in. cm.
Signed, other, Signed in negative at lower left corner, "Curtis"
Partial original image description studio sticker at upper left on verso, "The Old Well of Acoma"
Original studio sticker at lower right on verso, "Curtis Home of the Curtis Indians At Home and Studio Portraiture The Curtis Studio Seattle Wash., U.S.A."
Lot description
Artist: Edward S. Curtis
Title: At the Old Well - Acoma
Negative Date: 1904
Print Date: c.1904
Medium: Goldtone photograph
Markings: Signed in negative at lower left corner, "Curtis"
Partial original image description studio sticker at upper left on verso, "The Old Well of Acoma"
Original studio sticker at lower right on verso, "Curtis Home of the Curtis Indians At Home and Studio Portraiture The Curtis Studio Seattle Wash., U.S.A."
Print Size: 11" x 14"(28cm x 35.5cm)
Frame Size: 16" x 19"(40.6cm x 48.2cm)

The gallery retail for this photograph is: $13,500
Auction Estimate: $8,000 - $10,000

This originally was one of Curtis’ most popular, important and widely collected images. The beautiful subject matter, the lyrical qualities of the water, and the ripples, and the strong composition have made this an enduring image. It remains as sought-after today as it was one hundred years ago. This photograph was made near the Pueblo of Acoma, in New Mexico, in 1904. Acoma remains a vibrant community to this day, famous for its artisans who are still making traditional pottery. This image has been reproduced in many publications and has been shown in exhibitions throughout the world. Vintage goldtones of this image are relatively scarce. The vintage frame is in unusually fine condition. This image has been reproduced in a number of Curtis books. This particular print has been exhibited internationally.

This vintage goldtone is in very good to excellent overall condition and has excellent print quality. There is a historic imperfection (0.13"-.33cm) in the glass, typical of hand-made glass of this era. Minor area of gold-backing loss at the upper left shadow area, near the margin; two small scratches in glass at the lower left corner, not atypical of vintage goldtones; scattered, very shallow scratches on glass surface, visible only in direct reflected light; and
scattered gold-backing loss at the upper right corner (see photo details.) Original frame is in unusually fine condition.


Edward Curtis is the most widely collected fine art photography in the history of the medium, and his work is found in major public and private collections internationally. He has also become the most widely exhibited. His work has moved viewers on every continent but Antarctica. He created an unprecedented body of work, which has won awards and accolades internationally. While the project nearly drove him into bankruptcy and cost him his health and family, today the aggregate value of the photographs he created exceeds one half of a billion dollars. Please see biography link above for further details.
  • Literature and Catalogue Raisoneé
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Sales Results for Comparable Works

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  • Edward Sheriff Curtis

    Vanishing race
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  • Edward Sheriff Curtis

    The scout
    orotone
    (H 11, W 14) in.
    (27.9 x 35.6) cm.
    Sold for: US$8,000
    Sunday, May 22, 2011
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  • Edward Sheriff Curtis

    Canyon De Chelly
    orotone print
    (H 7.5, W 9.5) in.
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  • Edward Sheriff Curtis

    The fisherman - wishham
    photographs, other
    (H 14, W 11) in.
    (35.6 x 27.9) cm.
    Sold for: US$12,075
    Thursday, March 31, 2011
    artnet Auctions
    Lot 44529
  • Edward Sheriff Curtis

    The vanishing race, Navaho
    orotone
    (H 8, W 10) in.
    (20.3 x 25.4) cm.
    Sold for: US$15,860
    Tuesday, November 02, 2010
    Bonhams New York
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  • Edward Sheriff Curtis

    The vanishing race
    orotone
    (H 10.6, W 13.6) in.
    (27 x 34.5) cm.
    Sold for: US$47,500
    Thursday, October 08, 2009
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