The Auction House Pierre Bergé & Associés is organizing an auction of photographic books. It will take place on Tuesday May 3rd in Room 16 of Hotel Drouot Richelieu under the appraisal of Dirk Bakker.
According to Eric Masquelier, who is responsible, this auction is somewhat particular as the books presented offer two collections from both Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum and from Mirelle Thijsen.

The Rijksmuseum’s photo library comprises 15,000 photographic works passionately selected by its former owners. Bert Hartkamp, an attorney in Amsterdam, began these acquisitions in the 1950’s. In 2001, the Museum acquired a collection of famous 19th century works from the historian Steven F. Joseph and in 2007, he began a collection of photography books from the 20th century. Following a reorganization of the library, the Museum entrusted the Bergé Auction House with the sale of the duplicate works. The sale of these “doubles” meant an advantage and an inconvenience. The first is the absence of a reserve price and a VAT of 5.5%; the second being that some of these books show traces of manipulations. Another particularity: more often than not we find not just a single work, but entire lots made up of many books. Among these 136 first lots, there are some important works such as the album on Jerusalem by Auguste Salzmann, with 40 original photographs. Lot 114: 8,000-12,000€. We also find rare first issues of the magazine Provoke, published in Japan between 1968 and 1970, featuring photographs by Nakahira, Moriyama, Takanashi… Lot 141: 8,000-10,000 €.

As for the second collection, it was put together by Mirelle Thijsen, who was introduced to photography by Lorenzo Merlo, director of the Canon Gallery of Amsterdam and author of a thesis on photo books of enterprises Het Bedrijfsfotoboek 1945-1965.
For this sale, she divided the collection into four sections: the Dutch enterprise books 1945-1965, books by contemporary Dutch designers, books by photographers, and books containing discovered photographs.
With several works per lot, like Nº243 that brings together the issues 1 – 31 of Camera International (600-700€). Or, lot N°296 that includes several books from or about Joel Peter Witkin, of which 3 are signed and dedicated: 1000-1200€…
Further details on the lots and their price estimation in the paper catalogue or on the internet: www. pba-auctions.fr

Bernard Perrine
Bernard.Perrine1@orange.fr

Auction of Photo books

Tuesday May 3rd at 2 PM
Drouot Richelieu Room 16

Public exhibition Room 16
Monday May 2nd , 2011 11 AM – 6 PM
Tuesday May 3rd , 2011 11 AM – 12 noon
Telephone during the exhibitions
33 (0)1 48 00 20 16

Pierre Bergé & Associés-France
12 rue Drouot
75009 Paris
33 (0)1 49 49 90 00
Information on the auction
Eric Masquelier
+33 (0)1 49 49 9031
emasquelier@pba-auctions.com