VAN VECHTEN, Carl

Two vintage photographs of Ethel Waters as Carmen

Each black and white photo is approximately 6" x 9.5", depicting singer and actress Ethel Waters as Carmen -- in one giggling over a fan, in the second, looking serious with her face in shadow. Corners a little rubbed, the extreme top corners of one image a tiny bit chipped, probably the result of being tacked, slight soiling to that same image, very good or better condition overall. Each of the photos bears Van Vechten's stamp on the reverse, and both are numbered and dated the same day: 30 April 1934. One is Signed on the reverse: "Ethel Waters by Carl Van Vechten," the second image is Inscribed on the reverse to Langston Hughes: "Dear Langston: These pictures of Miss Waters in the role of Carmen were an idea of mine. She has not yet appeared in the opera -- or even learned the part! Mes compliments! Carlo. July 20." Exceptional specimens -- Van Vechten later re-issued many of his images, this is a very uncommon example of a contemporary vintage print with a wonderful association.

[BTC #56783]