Yousuf Karsh with Gerald Ford & Ronald Reagan, 13pcs; Ex. Karsh Estate
Ronald Reagan
[Washington, DC], ca. 1977-1983
Yousuf Karsh with Gerald Ford & Ronald Reagan, 13pcs; Ex. Karsh Estate
Archive
A wonderful collection of photographic prints all depicting legendary photographer Yousuf Karsh (1908-2002) with Presidents Ford and Reagan at the White House. Consisting of 13 pieces retained in Karsh's personal collection, officially presented to him after the respective sittings. Highlighted within are (8) White House photographs of Karsh and Reagan, plus (3) additional prints signed by photographer David Hume Kennerly (b. 1947) and personally inscribed to Karsh. Together with an original first class White House mailing envelope, measuring 15.75" x 12" overall. Exhibits varying degrees of edge wear, corner bumping, curling, and soiling throughout. Scattered handling marks to image surfaces. Overall, very good. Please see accompanying images for further information on contents.
Karsh Estate Provenance: Held by the Estate of Yousuf & Estrellita Karsh; after Yousuf's death in 2002 passing to Estrellita Karsh; after Estrellita's death in March 2025 passing to Katherine Getchell, Co-Executor, Estrellita Karsh Estate and Personal Representative of Estrellita Karsh.
The lot includes:
- (8) Official White House photographs showing a behind-the-scenes look at Karsh's sitting with President Reagan on January 5, 1982 and October 25, 1983. Various sizes, ranging from 10" x 8" to 11" x 14". All printed on watermarked Kodak paper, stamped on the verso throughout with unique White House identification numbers.
- (2) Mounted black and white photographs of Karsh with Gerald and Betty Ford, captured by presidential photographer David Hume Kennerly. Each measuring 9" x 6", or 14" x 11" mounted. Both signed in the lower right below image, "David Hume Kennerly 1/6/77", with an additional copyright signature and holograph caption on the verso.
- Black and white photographic print of Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, and Bush Sr. at the dedication of the Reagan Library, November 4, 1991. Measures 14" x 11" on fiber-based paper. Signed and inscribed by the photographer in the blank lower margin: "To Yousuf and Estrellita Karsh with love!/ David Hume Kennerly 11/4/91." Bearing Kennerly's copyright backstamp on verso.
Yousuf Karsh (1908–2002) is recognized as one of the leading photographers of the twentieth century. Arriving in Canada in 1924 as an Armenian refugee, Karsh eventually settled in Ottawa. Over six decades, he mastered the art of portraiture and created a unique chronicle of his time through images of celebrated legends. Some of his most notable subjects include Winston Churchill, Audrey Hepburn, Martin Luther King, Jr., John F. Kennedy, and Ernest Hemingway, among others. A celebrity in his own right, he was an elegant and charming public figure, captivating audiences with compelling stories told in images and words. Karsh sought to capture, as he put it, the "elusive moment of truth," revealing the essential nature of his subjects as reflected in their eyes, hands, and attitudes.
Please review our terms and conditions of sale regarding large lots of five or more items.
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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Ronald Reagan
[Washington, DC], ca. 1977-1983
Yousuf Karsh with Gerald Ford & Ronald Reagan, 13pcs; Ex. Karsh Estate
Archive
A wonderful collection of photographic prints all depicting legendary photographer Yousuf Karsh (1908-2002) with Presidents Ford and Reagan at the White House. Consisting of 13 pieces retained in Karsh's personal collection, officially presented to him after the respective sittings. Highlighted within are (8) White House photographs of Karsh and Reagan, plus (3) additional prints signed by photographer David Hume Kennerly (b. 1947) and personally inscribed to Karsh. Together with an original first class White House mailing envelope, measuring 15.75" x 12" overall. Exhibits varying degrees of edge wear, corner bumping, curling, and soiling throughout. Scattered handling marks to image surfaces. Overall, very good. Please see accompanying images for further information on contents.
Karsh Estate Provenance: Held by the Estate of Yousuf & Estrellita Karsh; after Yousuf's death in 2002 passing to Estrellita Karsh; after Estrellita's death in March 2025 passing to Katherine Getchell, Co-Executor, Estrellita Karsh Estate and Personal Representative of Estrellita Karsh.
The lot includes:
- (8) Official White House photographs showing a behind-the-scenes look at Karsh's sitting with President Reagan on January 5, 1982 and October 25, 1983. Various sizes, ranging from 10" x 8" to 11" x 14". All printed on watermarked Kodak paper, stamped on the verso throughout with unique White House identification numbers.
- (2) Mounted black and white photographs of Karsh with Gerald and Betty Ford, captured by presidential photographer David Hume Kennerly. Each measuring 9" x 6", or 14" x 11" mounted. Both signed in the lower right below image, "David Hume Kennerly 1/6/77", with an additional copyright signature and holograph caption on the verso.
- Black and white photographic print of Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, and Bush Sr. at the dedication of the Reagan Library, November 4, 1991. Measures 14" x 11" on fiber-based paper. Signed and inscribed by the photographer in the blank lower margin: "To Yousuf and Estrellita Karsh with love!/ David Hume Kennerly 11/4/91." Bearing Kennerly's copyright backstamp on verso.
Yousuf Karsh (1908–2002) is recognized as one of the leading photographers of the twentieth century. Arriving in Canada in 1924 as an Armenian refugee, Karsh eventually settled in Ottawa. Over six decades, he mastered the art of portraiture and created a unique chronicle of his time through images of celebrated legends. Some of his most notable subjects include Winston Churchill, Audrey Hepburn, Martin Luther King, Jr., John F. Kennedy, and Ernest Hemingway, among others. A celebrity in his own right, he was an elegant and charming public figure, captivating audiences with compelling stories told in images and words. Karsh sought to capture, as he put it, the "elusive moment of truth," revealing the essential nature of his subjects as reflected in their eyes, hands, and attitudes.
Please review our terms and conditions of sale regarding large lots of five or more items.
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.
WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
