OFFERING FOR A 2024 SOTHEBY AUCTION
This offering is for a possible 2024 auction in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of The International Center of Photography (ICP), founded in 1974 by Cornell Capa.
Inspired by the 50th anniversary, this proposal is made by John Chao, a long-time friend and Capa family member, and Anna Winand, Executive Secretary to Cornell Capa.
John Chao and Anna Winand are both founding members of ICP and have had a Capa family connection for close to sixty years. Chao’s 50 years of work as a photographer are intertwined with Cornell and Edie Capa’s guidance and support. As an established GEO and National Geographic photojournalist in the 70s and 80s, Chao quickly chose a career path less-traveled. In 1987, he left New York City and started a windsurfing magazine that quickly gained worldwide attention. While publishing for over a dozen years, he helped develop and manage a company that invented the sport of kiteboarding. In 2022, he was inducted to the Windsurfing Hall of Fame.
He stayed close to Cornell and Edie Capa but was a recluse to the world of photography. He never exhibited or sold his work in galleries and held the Capa’s legacy in private. It was not until 2021, that his first book, “50_Year Vision Quest,” was published with an opus of songs for the Capas. In 2023, he exhibited his work for the first time at the Leica Gallery in West Hollywood.
Included in these offerings are notably one-of-a-kind originals from John Chao’s collection. They are selected as legacy bridges between the old and the new. These mega framed prints, will be offered and packaged together with the original vintage copy of the same. A thread of thematic inclusion, kinship and and even photographs taken by John Chao with Cornell Capa’s camera will give the offering a narrative and justification.
This effort is motivated by the securing of an individual offering and exhibit in honor of the memory of Cornell and Edie Capa, their International Concerned Photographer movement for reportage, and celebrating the 50-year anniversary of The International Center of Photography.
VINTAGE PRINTS FROM THE CONCERNED PHOTOGRAPHER, BOOK AND EXHIBIT
ROBERT CAPA PHOTOS PRINTED FOR CORNELL CAPA BY JOHN CHAO (1978)
Description:
John Chao
Windsurfing Senator John Kerry at Nashawn Island, MA, 1997. When David Letterman asked Barak Obama why Kerry lost the 2004 presidential election, he answered with one word, “windsurfing!”
Mega Edition: 1/1
Image size: 40″ x 26.5″
Print Size: 44″ x 30″
Frame Size: 52″ x 40
Description:
John Chao
1984 Democratic
Mega Edition: 1/1
Image size: 40″ x 26.5″
Print Size: 44″ x 30″
Frame Size: 52″ x 40
Description:
John Chao
Vintage print signed by Senator Ted Kennedy describing his moment at the 1980 Democratic Convention. Photograph appeared in the cover of New York Times Weekend Review section and widely published around the world. Carter won the nomination but went on to loose the general election to Ronald Regan.
Print: 1 of 1
Image size: 8½ x 11″
Print Size: 11 x 14″
Markings: “To John Chao. I think I was waving at John Kerry and urging him to run for the senate! It was a good evening although not everyone seemed to enjoy it! With Friendship! Ted Kennedy New York 1980-97”
Description:
Leonard Freed
Harlen, 1963
Gelatin silver print. Early vintage print made by the photographer for the Concerend Photograpers exhibit.
Image size: 22 x 15″
Print Size: 22 x 18″
Frame Size: 28¾ x 20½”
In the summer of 1975, Leonard Freed, and John Chao went to the beach where Robert Capa photographed Picasso and Françoise Gilot. They found it to be a nude beach. While Freed contemplated a swim, Chao became enchanted by the French joie de vivre and the sport of windsurfing.
Their homes in Garrison became a popular destination for many manhattan based photographers and editors. This included a somewhat discouraged photographer Steve McCurry, before his encounter with the Afghan girl, Sharbat Gula.
Description:
John Chao
Pussy Galore, Arles France, 1975.
Mega Edition: 1/1
Image size: 40″ x 26.5″
Print Size: 44″ x 30″
Frame Size: 52″ x 40
CORNELL CAPA
Description:
John Chao
Cornell Capa On Vacation, MEGA Print: 2023
MEGA Edition: 1/1
Image size: approx 44 x78″
Print Size: 48″ x 82″
Frame Size: 66 x 98″
Description:
Original Print: 1988
ORIGINAL Edition: 1/1
Image size: 10″ x 9″
Frame Size: 14″ x11″
Description:
John Chao
California, 1975 with a camera borrowed from Cornell Capa
Edition: 1/3
Image size: 37″ x 60″
Print Size: 44″ x 70″
Frame Size: 49″ x 73
Description:
John Chao, Harry Lunn Father Fin-Art Photography, 1981
As exemplified by the William Eggleston photo I purchase in 1974 for $350, Harry Lunn, was the first art dealer to bring photography into the Fine Art market. This photo at an ICP Awards Banquet in 1981, reveals the hidden “spook” side of the “Father Fin-Art Photography,” For many years he worked for the CIA while falling in love with photography. He suggested I should pursuit Fine Art Photography but I opted for Photojournalism.
Mega Edition: 1/1
Image size: 40″ x 26.5″
Print Size: 44″ x 30″
Frame Size: 52″ x 40
Original Vintage Edition: 1/4
Image size:
Print Size:
Frame Size:
Description:
John Chao
The Last Commercial Fishermen of East Hampton, 1985
One of three original signed print by the commercial fishermen of East Hampton, Long Island. This print was made in 1986 by exposing 30 negatives to one sheet of paper. The three finished prints were then taken to each of the fishermen for their signature.
Image size: 22″ x 18″
Print Size: 24″ x 20″
Frame Size: 25″ x 31″
This print is offered in conjunction to a modern remake created in 2018.
Image size: 70″ x 43″
Print Size: 74″ x 44″
Frame Size: 88″ x 60″
Adelaide de Menil hired John Chao and Danny Lyons to document the lives of commercial fishermen of East Hampton from 1982 to 1985. Chao’s photos were used to champion the rights of the commercial fishing industry and displayed at the New York State Legislature. The project became the book “Men’s Lives” with Peter Mathiessen.
Description:
John Chao
The last commercial fisherman of the Hudson River — 1985 assignment Geo Magazine. Vintage Illford Portriga print
Edition: 1/10
Image size: 16″ x 11″
Print Size: 20″ x 16″
Frame Size: 21″ x 17″
Anna Winnand Collection
Seventeen photographs by Cornell Capa of Adlai Stevenson and President John F. Kennedy.
Description:
Cornell Capa
Portrait of Adlai Stevenson, 1952
Early gelatin silver print (printed no later than 1966)
Image size: 8½ x 11″
Print Size: 11 x 14″
Markings: Stamped “Photograph By / Cornell Capa / © 1966 MAGNUM PHOTOS / 72 West 45th St=reet, N.Y.C. 10036” and annotated “Capa p.39” in graphite print verso. Original print available for photo at a later date.
Description:
Cornell Capa
Portrait of Adlai Stevenson, 1952
Early gelatin silver print (printed no later than 1966)
Image size: 8½ x 11″
Print Size: 11 x 14″
Markings: Stamped “Photograph By / Cornell Capa / © 1966 MAGNUM PHOTOS / 72 West 45th St=reet, N.Y.C. 10036” and annotated “Capa p.39” in graphite print verso. Original print available for photo at a later date.
Description:
Cornell Capa
Portrait of Adlai Stevenson, 1952
Early gelatin silver print (printed no later than 1966)
Image size: 8½ x 11″
Print Size: 11 x 14″
Markings: Stamped “Photograph By / Cornell Capa / © 1966 MAGNUM PHOTOS / 72 West 45th St=reet, N.Y.C. 10036” and annotated “Capa p.39” in graphite print verso. Original print available for photo at a later date.
Description:
Cornell Capa
Portrait of Adlai Stevenson, 1952
Early gelatin silver print (printed no later than 1966)
Image size: 8½ x 11″
Print Size: 11 x 14″
Markings: Stamped “Photograph By / Cornell Capa / © 1966 MAGNUM PHOTOS / 72 West 45th St=reet, N.Y.C. 10036” and annotated “Capa p.39” in graphite print verso. Original print available for photo at a later date.
Description:
Cornell Capa
Portrait of Adlai Stevenson, 1952
Early gelatin silver print (printed no later than 1966)
Image size: 8½ x 11″
Print Size: 11 x 14″
Markings: Stamped “Photograph By / Cornell Capa / © 1966 MAGNUM PHOTOS / 72 West 45th St=reet, N.Y.C. 10036” and annotated “Capa p.39” in graphite print verso. Original print available for photo at a later date.
Description:
Cornell Capa
Portrait of Adlai Stevenson, 1952
Early gelatin silver print (printed no later than 1966)
Image size: 8½ x 11″
Print Size: 11 x 14″
Markings: Stamped “Photograph By / Cornell Capa / © 1966 MAGNUM PHOTOS / 72 West 45th St=reet, N.Y.C. 10036” and annotated “Capa p.39” in graphite print verso. Original print available for photo at a later date.
Description:
Cornell Capa
Portrait of Adlai Stevenson, 1952
Early gelatin silver print (printed no later than 1966)
Image size: 8½ x 11″
Print Size: 11 x 14″
Markings: Stamped “Photograph By / Cornell Capa / © 1966 MAGNUM PHOTOS / 72 West 45th St=reet, N.Y.C. 10036” and annotated “Capa p.39” in graphite print verso. Original print available for photo at a later date.
Description:
Cornell Capa
Portrait of Adlai Stevenson, 1952
Early gelatin silver print (printed no later than 1966)
Image size: 8½ x 11″
Print Size: 11 x 14″
Markings: Stamped “Photograph By / Cornell Capa / © 1966 MAGNUM PHOTOS / 72 West 45th St=reet, N.Y.C. 10036” and annotated “Capa p.39” in graphite print verso. Original print available for photo at a later date.
Description:
Cornell Capa
Portrait of Adlai Stevenson, 1952
Early gelatin silver print (printed no later than 1966)
Image size: 8½ x 11″
Print Size: 11 x 14″
Markings: Stamped “Photograph By / Cornell Capa / © 1966 MAGNUM PHOTOS / 72 West 45th St=reet, N.Y.C. 10036” and annotated “Capa p.39” in graphite print verso. Original print available for photo at a later date.
Description:
Cornell Capa
Portrait of Adlai Stevenson, 1952
Early gelatin silver print (printed no later than 1966)
Image size: 8½ x 11″
Print Size: 11 x 14″
Markings: Stamped “Photograph By / Cornell Capa / © 1966 MAGNUM PHOTOS / 72 West 45th St=reet, N.Y.C. 10036” and annotated “Capa p.39” in graphite print verso. Original print available for photo at a later date.
Description:
Cornell Capa
Portrait of Adlai Stevenson, 1952
Early gelatin silver print (printed no later than 1966)
Image size: 8½ x 11″
Print Size: 11 x 14″
Markings: Stamped “Photograph By / Cornell Capa / © 1966 MAGNUM PHOTOS / 72 West 45th St=reet, N.Y.C. 10036” and annotated “Capa p.39” in graphite print verso. Original print available for photo at a later date.
Description:
Cornell Capa
Portrait of Adlai Stevenson, 1952
Early gelatin silver print (printed no later than 1966)
Image size: 8½ x 11″
Print Size: 11 x 14″
Markings: Stamped “Photograph By / Cornell Capa / © 1966 MAGNUM PHOTOS / 72 West 45th St=reet, N.Y.C. 10036” and annotated “Capa p.39” in graphite print verso. Original print available for photo at a later date.
Description:
Cornell Capa
Portrait of Adlai Stevenson, 1952
Early gelatin silver print (printed no later than 1966)
Image size: 8½ x 11″
Print Size: 11 x 14″
Markings: Stamped “Photograph By / Cornell Capa / © 1966 MAGNUM PHOTOS / 72 West 45th St=reet, N.Y.C. 10036” and annotated “Capa p.39” in graphite print verso. Original print available for photo at a later date.
Description:
Cornell Capa
Portrait of Adlai Stevenson, 1952
Early gelatin silver print (printed no later than 1966)
Image size: 8½ x 11″
Print Size: 11 x 14″
Markings: Stamped “Photograph By / Cornell Capa / © 1966 MAGNUM PHOTOS / 72 West 45th St=reet, N.Y.C. 10036” and annotated “Capa p.39” in graphite print verso. Original print available for photo at a later date.
Description:
Cornell Capa
Portrait of Adlai Stevenson, 1952
Early gelatin silver print (printed no later than 1966)
Image size: 8½ x 11″
Print Size: 11 x 14″
Markings: Stamped “Photograph By / Cornell Capa / © 1966 MAGNUM PHOTOS / 72 West 45th St=reet, N.Y.C. 10036” and annotated “Capa p.39” in graphite print verso. Original print available for photo at a later date.
Annie Liebovitz
Prints made by ANNIE LIEBOVITZ
for JOHN CHAO for his AMERICAN WINDSURFER MAGAZINE
Description:
John Chao
Standing Rock,
Early gelatin silver print (printed no later than 1966)
EDITION: 1/3
Image size: 96½ x 16½”
Print Size: 101″ x 24″
Frame Size: 106″ x 27″ Markings: Stamped
Description:
John Chao
Original Tiffany photos made for the Metropolitan Museum in 1985. The source of all Tiffany Posters.
EDITION: 1/3
Image size: 96½ x 16½”
Print Size: 101″ x 24″
Frame Size: 106″ x 27″ Markings: Stamped
