Leslie Ragan, Rockefeller Center New York, Circa 1935.
Leslie Ragan
1897-1972
Rockefeller Center New York. Circa 1935.
Lithograph poster.
A bird's-eye view of Rockefeller Center rising from amidst the cityscape with its roof gardens and landscaped grounds. Put into monolithic perspective by St. Patrick's Cathedral in the foreground and the Hudson River and New Jersey in the distance, this complex of buildings rises so high that even the shadow it casts is impressive.
"This poster predates the completion of Rockefeller Center, which was built between 1931 and 1939. . . Ragan's view is not an entirely accurate rendering of the complex since it includes several buildings that were not ultimately realized" (New York City Posters p. 71). As with some of his other posters Ragan relied on pre-existing artwork as the basis for this poster. Here, he uses an architectural rendering of the buildings by John Wenrich designed in the early 1930s. He may have also been inspired by a promotional postcard, which similarly includes some anachronisms, like the
incorrect number of roof gardens, and the orientation of certain buildings.
Voyage p. 137, Zega p. 102, Affiches Art Deco p. 113, New York City p. 71.
41 x 27 in. (104 x 68.5 cm.) Latham Litho & Ptg. Co., Long Island City.
Additional Details
Condition: Condition A-: overpainting in margins; expertly-repaired tears at bottom edge, some into lower text.
Please contact the Specialist for the auction to request a condition report.
Condition reports and additional images are provided as a courtesy and should be used by you to aid in the formation of your own opinion regarding condition. All material is sold subject to Swann's standard Terms and Conditions of Sale as published in our catalogues and posted on our website, and include the following terms: (1) all property is sold "as-is"; and (2) works cannot be returned on the basis of condition.
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32% up to
$100,000.00
27% up to
$1,000,000.00
17% above
$1,000,000.00
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Leslie Ragan
1897-1972
Rockefeller Center New York. Circa 1935.
Lithograph poster.
A bird's-eye view of Rockefeller Center rising from amidst the cityscape with its roof gardens and landscaped grounds. Put into monolithic perspective by St. Patrick's Cathedral in the foreground and the Hudson River and New Jersey in the distance, this complex of buildings rises so high that even the shadow it casts is impressive.
"This poster predates the completion of Rockefeller Center, which was built between 1931 and 1939. . . Ragan's view is not an entirely accurate rendering of the complex since it includes several buildings that were not ultimately realized" (New York City Posters p. 71). As with some of his other posters Ragan relied on pre-existing artwork as the basis for this poster. Here, he uses an architectural rendering of the buildings by John Wenrich designed in the early 1930s. He may have also been inspired by a promotional postcard, which similarly includes some anachronisms, like the
incorrect number of roof gardens, and the orientation of certain buildings.
Voyage p. 137, Zega p. 102, Affiches Art Deco p. 113, New York City p. 71.
41 x 27 in. (104 x 68.5 cm.) Latham Litho & Ptg. Co., Long Island City.
Additional Details
Condition: Condition A-: overpainting in margins; expertly-repaired tears at bottom edge, some into lower text.
Please contact the Specialist for the auction to request a condition report.
Condition reports and additional images are provided as a courtesy and should be used by you to aid in the formation of your own opinion regarding condition. All material is sold subject to Swann's standard Terms and Conditions of Sale as published in our catalogues and posted on our website, and include the following terms: (1) all property is sold "as-is"; and (2) works cannot be returned on the basis of condition.
Buyer's Premium
32% up to
$100,000.00
27% up to
$1,000,000.00
17% above
$1,000,000.00
Sale price
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
