The Sotheby’s Evening Sale of Photographs Totals $3.6 million

With more than 72% of the Evening sale lots acquired at prices that tended toward the low end of estimates, the Sotheby’s photography sales began with these 58 lots (of which 42 sold) and will conclude tomorrow for a total of 249 lots with a pre-sale estimate for the entire sale of $6-$10 million.

This Edward Weston photograph of Tina Modotti is unique. It hasn’t been on the market since the 1970s but it sold for a $302,000 premium price which puts the hammer at beginning of the $250-$300,000 estimate range. This Man Ray photograph of Jacqueline Goddard went for $374,500 with a $250-$350,000 estimate range. Finally, this Diane Arbus image sold for $104,000. According to Artnet, a previous sale of the same photograph in 2004 sold for $198,400. But the owner bought the picture from directly from the Arbus Estate in 1974. So the price disparity reflects the seller’s substantial gain and willingness not to put a reserve on the lot.

More numbers when the sale is completed.