SAM SHERE (1905–1982) – Original Hindenburg Disaster Photograph - 1937

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SAM SHERE (1905–1982) – Original Hindenburg Disaster Photograph - 1937:
$31250.00

SAM SHERE (1905–1982) (Attributed)The Hindenburg DisasterLakehurst Naval Air Station, New JerseyMay 6, 1937Original Type I Gelatin Silver Press PhotographInternational News Photos – LOOK Magazine Editorial Archive

An exceptional originalgelatin silver photograph documenting one of the most iconic moments in the history of twentieth-century photojournalism.

This extraordinary image captures the catastrophic destruction of the LZ 129 Hindenburg during its attempted landing at Lakehurst Naval Air Station, New Jersey, on May 6, 1937. Within seconds, the world's largest passenger airship was engulfed in flames, ending the era of commercial rigid airships and producing one of the most enduring news photographs ever created.

This photograph corresponds to the celebrated Hindenburg disaster image widely attributed to Sam Shere, the renowned International News Photos photographer whose dramatic coverage of the tragedy became one of the defining visual records of the twentieth century. Shere's photographs of the Hindenburg are preserved in important institutional collections, including the International Center of Photography (ICP), and remain among the most recognizable images in the history of photojournalism.

Offered here is an original period International News Photos gelatin silver press print, produced contemporaneously with the events of May 1937 and preserving remarkable editorial provenance.

Exceptional Editorial Provenance

The reverse of the photograph retains an outstanding collection of original editorial material, including:

• Original International News Photos agency stamps.

• Multiple LOOK Magazine editorial archive label and stamps.

• Contemporary filing references and production annotations.

• Original newspaper and editorial handling marks.

These surviving markings strongly indicate that this print formed part of LOOK Magazine's working photographic archive.

Research has established that this image appeared in the December 14, 1943 issue of LOOK Magazine. Based upon the original archive labels and editorial annotations preserved on the reverse, it is possible that this print was retained for editorial production and may have been used in connection with the magazine's publication of the photograph. While absolute certainty cannot be claimed, the surviving editorial evidence provides exceptional provenance linking the print to one of America's most influential illustrated magazines.

Such complete editorial documentation is seldom preserved and significantly enhances both the historical importance and collectability of the photograph.

Historical Importance

Few photographs have achieved the universal recognition of the Hindenburg disaster.

The image has become one of the defining visual documents of the twentieth century, symbolizing the dramatic end of the great passenger airship era and remaining one of the most reproduced and studied photographs in the history of journalism.

Original Type I International News Photos press prints from this event, particularly examples retaining complete editorial provenance, are exceptionally scarce and rarely encountered on the public market.

Details

Photographer: Sam Shere (1905–1982) (Attributed)

Title: The Hindenburg Disaster

Date: May 6, 1937

Location: Lakehurst Naval Air Station, New Jersey, USA

Agency: International News Photos

Medium: Original Gelatin Silver Photograph

Verso:

Original International News Photos agency stamps, LOOK Magazine editorial archive labels, filing references, editorial production markings, and period handling annotations.

Size:

Approximately 8 × 10 inches

Condition:

Very good vintage condition, exhibiting normal editorial handling wear consistent with its professional newspaper and magazine use. Minor age-related surface wear and archive annotations are present, all consistent with an authentic period press photograph. Please examine all images carefully, as they form part of the description.

Collector's Note

Original International News Photos press photographs documenting the Hindenburg disaster represent some of the most desirable artifacts in twentieth-century photojournalism.

The combination of its early probably, Type I printing, attribution to Sam Shere, surviving International News Photos agency provenance, and extensive LOOK Magazine editorial archive material distinguishes this example from later prints and modern reproductions.

An outstanding opportunity to acquire an exceptionally rare original press photograph documenting one of the most iconic events in modern history.

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