
Untitled (Dolls on Cadillac Trunk), Signed William Eggleston Dye Transfer Photograph
The item is a framed Dye Transfer Photograph, created by the renowned American photographer William Eggleston, dated 1973. The photograph captures a distinct arrangement of predominantly baby dolls, resting on what is clearly identifiable as the trunk of a Cadillac, indicated by the prominent wreath and crest emblem. This subject matter, featuring mundane objects rendered with striking color intensity, is characteristic of Eggleston's pioneering work in color photography. The print displays the signature of 'William Eggleston' in the bottom right, consistent with his authenticated autograph style. The medium itself, Dye Transfer, is significant, known for producing images with dense, vibrant colors and a continuous tone, distinguishing it from other print processes. Although described as having 'Die Transfer Ink Dots Visible,' true dye-transfer prints are known for their continuous tone; this detail suggests the possibility of a unique characteristic in this specific print or a minor misinterpretation of the visual texture. The photograph is presented within a professional gallery frame, protected behind glass and properly matted, indicating intent for preservation. The overall condition is described as 'well maintained,' with the saturation indicative of Eggleston's style still present, yet acknowledging 'some fading likely due to aging,' which is a common concern for photographic prints of this era, especially if not stored under ideal conditions. Its rarity is notable, stated as 'one of only 15 of these type that exist,' making it a highly limited edition. Further increasing its historical and commercial value is the provenance indicated by an 'EVEREST GALLERY 4976 SUMMER AVE • MEMPHIS, TN' sticker on the frame's reverse, linking the piece to a specific gallery in Eggleston's hometown and suggesting a direct historical sales channel. The print's visual quality, despite some age-related fading, appears to maintain the rich color palettes and composition that define Eggleston's iconic style, showcasing high-level craftsmanship inherent to the dye-transfer process. This specific piece encapsulates the stylistic and technical innovations that marked Eggleston's transformative contribution to modern photography. The distinct visual elements and documented provenance strongly suggest its authenticity as a significant work by the artist.
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Estimated Value
$120,000-180,000
Basic Information
Category
Fine Art Photography
Appraised On
August 28, 2025
Estimated Value
$120,000-180,000
Additional Details Provided By Owner
User Provided Information
Based on the information provided and the visual evidence from the photograph, here is a more comprehensive analysis, including potential additional information and points of verification: Analysis of the Photograph: * Artist and Signature: The photograph is authentically hand signed by William Eggleston. The signature is described as being on the bottom right. The style of the signature matches William Eggleston’s authentic original signature and autograph. * M * Artist and Signature: The photograph is authentically hand signed by William Eggleston. The signature is described as being on the bottom right. The style of the signature matches William Eggleston’s authentic original signature and autograph. * Medium: The medium is identified as a "Dye Transfer Photograph." This is a key detail. Eggleston is famous for his pioneering use of the dye-transfer process, a highly saturated and labor-intensive method that produced vibrant, long-lasting prints. The description "Die Transfer Ink Dots Visible" is consistent with this process, as it is known for its rich, continuous tones rather than the dot-matrix patterns of other printing methods. Verifying this would involve close examination, possibly with a loupe, to confirm the characteristic continuous-tone quality of a dye transfer print. * Subject Matter: The photograph depicts a collection of dolls, mostly baby dolls, arranged on what appears to be the trunk of a car. The prominent emblem in the center, a wreath and crest, is characteristic of a Cadillac. This subject matter—mundane, everyday scenes rendered with intense, almost surreal color—is a hallmark of Eggleston's work, particularly his focus on the American South. The style is very much in line with his body of work. * Dating: The photograph is dated to 1973. This places it squarely in the period of Eggleston's most influential work, including the images that would later be featured in his groundbreaking 1976 exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, William Eggleston's Guide. * Provenance and Edition: * Limited Edition: This is "One of only 15 of these type that exist" refers to a very small edition size for a dye-transfer print. This makes it highly rare and valuable. * Everest Gallery: The sticker on the back of the frame indicating "EVEREST GALLERY 4976 SUMMER AVE • MEMPHIS, TN" provides a crucial piece of provenance. This links the photograph to a specific gallery in Memphis, the artist's hometown. This information could be used to research the gallery and its history with William Eggleston to confirm a connection. * Condition Report: Well maintained with clear William Eggleston style saturation still present but some fading likely due to aging. * Framing Details: Well preserved in professional gallery framing behind glass and correctly matted to protect the photograph. The color integrity is particularly important for dye-transfer prints, as they can be susceptible to fading if not properly cared for. * Previous Ownership History: A clear record of the photograph's previous owners (its "provenance") from the time it was acquired from the gallery to the present would add significant value and credibility. * Framing Details: While the Everest Gallery sticker is on the back of the frame, details about the frame itself (e.g., type of glass, archival matting) would be relevant for assessing the print's preservation. In summary, the provided description aligns well with the characteristics of an authentic William Eggleston dye-transfer print from his key period. However, to fully authenticate and value the piece, a detailed inspection to confirm the edition number, a professional condition report, and documentation of provenance are essential missing pieces of information.
Item Description
The item is a framed Dye Transfer Photograph, created by the renowned American photographer William Eggleston, dated 1973. The photograph captures a distinct arrangement of predominantly baby dolls, resting on what is clearly identifiable as the trunk of a Cadillac, indicated by the prominent wreath and crest emblem. This subject matter, featuring mundane objects rendered with striking color intensity, is characteristic of Eggleston's pioneering work in color photography. The print displays the signature of 'William Eggleston' in the bottom right, consistent with his authenticated autograph style. The medium itself, Dye Transfer, is significant, known for producing images with dense, vibrant colors and a continuous tone, distinguishing it from other print processes. Although described as having 'Die Transfer Ink Dots Visible,' true dye-transfer prints are known for their continuous tone; this detail suggests the possibility of a unique characteristic in this specific print or a minor misinterpretation of the visual texture. The photograph is presented within a professional gallery frame, protected behind glass and properly matted, indicating intent for preservation. The overall condition is described as 'well maintained,' with the saturation indicative of Eggleston's style still present, yet acknowledging 'some fading likely due to aging,' which is a common concern for photographic prints of this era, especially if not stored under ideal conditions. Its rarity is notable, stated as 'one of only 15 of these type that exist,' making it a highly limited edition. Further increasing its historical and commercial value is the provenance indicated by an 'EVEREST GALLERY 4976 SUMMER AVE • MEMPHIS, TN' sticker on the frame's reverse, linking the piece to a specific gallery in Eggleston's hometown and suggesting a direct historical sales channel. The print's visual quality, despite some age-related fading, appears to maintain the rich color palettes and composition that define Eggleston's iconic style, showcasing high-level craftsmanship inherent to the dye-transfer process. This specific piece encapsulates the stylistic and technical innovations that marked Eggleston's transformative contribution to modern photography. The distinct visual elements and documented provenance strongly suggest its authenticity as a significant work by the artist.
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