a group of 4 photographs, including 2 by STELLA SIMON of a Lampshade from a Photograph by Berenice Abbott and a Cigarette Box from a Photograph by Sherrill Schell; and 2 by WHITING-SALZMAN STUDIO of a Design for a Cigarette Box; 2 signed in ink on the image and with Julien Levy Gallery stamps on the reverse, 1931 (Dreaming in Black and White, pls. 111, 281, and 283) (4)

The Julien Levy Collection, purchased from Jean Farley Levy for the Museum by Lynne and Harold Honickman, 2001

Cigarette box made from a photograph design by Sherril Schell (Stella Simon) - This photograph, on double-weight paper with a surface sheen, measures 9½ by 7¼ inches. It is signed in ink on the image. In raking light, silvering, several creases, both soft and sharp, a small raised area, and tiny deposits of original retouching are visible overall. On the reverse of the print are the following stamps: 'Reproduction Not Permitted Unless Credit Given to STELLA F. SIMON'; 'Courtesy of Julien Levy Gallery'; and 'Julien Levy Gallery / 602 Madison Avenue / New York City.' The reverse is age-darkened and lightly soiled. There is a small green paper remnant affixed to the lower edge on the reverse, with partial caption ('Cigarette') visible. Lampshade made from a photograph design by Berenice Abbott (Stella Simon) - This photograph, on double-weight paper with a surface sheen, measures 9-5/8 by 7¼ inches. It is signed in ink on the image. In raking light, soiling, deposits of original retouching, and soft creases are visible overall. On the reverse of the print are the following stamps: 'Reproduction Not Permitted Unless Credit Given to STELLA F. SIMON;' Courtesy of Julien Levy Gallery;' and 'Julien Levy Gallery / 602 Madison Avenue / New York City.' Annotations and reduction notations are in an unidentified hand in pencil on the reverse: 'crop this side,' '3" x 4¼",' '47.2,' and '9175.5.' There is a small green piece of paper affixed tot he lower edge on the reverse, with typed caption 'Lampshade made from photograph by Berenice Abbott' and stamped 'Courtesy of Julien Levy Gallery.' Photograph design for a cigarette box (Whiting-Salzman studio) - This photograph, on double-weight paper with a faint surface sheen, measures 4¼ by 6¼ inches. There is silvering in the black margins, and minor edge wear. Photograph design for a cigarette box (Whiting Salzman studio) - This photograph, on double-weight matte-surface paper, measures 6¼ by 8-1/8 inches. It is rubbed at the margin edges. On the reverse of the print, 'top' is written in an unidentified hand in pencil, and there are a couple of tiny rust-colored deposits of indeterminate nature.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

From the inception of his gallery, Julien Levy envisioned offering not only photographs as fine art, but also as ‘photograph designs,’ i. e., photographs reproduced on cigarette boxes, lampshades, wastebaskets, and other household objects.   The decorative arts manufacturer George Henne was hired to create a series of prototypes, but the endeavor was never commercially successful.  The photographs offered here are a record of an idea that perhaps came decades too soon. For more information, cf. Dreaming in Black and White, pp. 149 and 170.