Lot 147

(4) Photos by Lotte Jacobi Incl. Two Signed!

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(4) Photos by Lotte Jacobi Incl. Two Signed!

Estimate: $200 - $300

Starting Bid: $70

(0 Bids)

June 17, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
Wilton, CT, US

Description:

Mid 20th C. Photography
[New York, NY], ca. 1930s-1950s
(4) Photos by Lotte Jacobi Incl. Two Signed!
Archive

A small group of vintage Duotone silver photographs, four in total, taken by German-American photographer Lotte Jacobi (1896-1990). N.d. but ca. 1930s-1950s. [New York, New York.] Two of the photographs are signed by Jacobi as "Lotte Jacobi." The remaining two photographs are blind-embossed as "Lotte Jacobi / New York." Expected wear including even toning, isolated stains or foxing. Else very good to near fine. The largest photographs (3 of the 4) measure 7.875" x 9.875."

The lot includes:

1. A gelatin silver print showing a man's head turned to the right, possibly depicting German physicist Werner Heisenberg. Pencil-signed as "Lotte Jacobi" in the image field at lower right. The black and white matte photograph was printed on textured paper. Isolated fly-specking, foxing, and silvering mostly along the edges. Adhesive residue found in the lower right corner nowhere near the artist's signature. 7.875" x 9.875."

2. A black and white gelatin silver print showing a woman's head turned at 3/4 profile. Pen-signed as "Lotte Jacobi" in the image field at lower left. Isolated silvering recto, and mounting traces verso. 4.875" x 6.75."

3. A black and white gelatin silver print showing a gallery exhibit space, almost certainly Lotte's. Blind-embossed within the image field as "Lotte Jacobi / New York" at lower left. Minor foxing to the margins. 7.875" x 9.875."

4. A black and white gelatin silver print - part of a unique, handmade series made without a negative - depicting a length of artfully arranged fabric. Blind-embossed outside the image field as "Lotte Jacobi / New York" at lower left. Hand-stamped and pen-numbered verso as "Photogenics No. 101 / Copyright by Lotte Jacobi, N.Y., N.Y." Minor foxing to the margins. 7.875" x 9.875."

Lotte Jacobi was a fourth-generation Jewish German photographer, born in Prussia in what is today part of Poland. Jacobi's career as a professional photographer was virtually assured by the fact that her sister, father, aunts, uncles, grandfather, and great-grandfather were also photographers! Jacobi's most famous portrait photograph is probably the one she took of Albert Einstein in 1938 at Princeton. Jacobi was purportedly the physicist's favorite photographer.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: largest: 7.875" x 9.875"
  • Medium: Archive

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000