If the auction prices for works of contemporary art have risen enormously, the sector of photography  has certainly not been left behind, given that lately we have been witnessing actual exploits of photograph sales. Many photographers now reach very high prices It is certainly a difficult market compared to the market of more “traditional” arts, but it is slowly emerging and attracting a great number of people who are passionate about  it. Perhaps this increased affluence in the sector is also due to record hammer prices that have made history. Just think of “99 Cents II” by German artist Andreas Gursky, a work which in 2007 at Sotheby’s London reached the exorbitant price of 2,375,220 euros. A sensational en plein that has still to be outrivalled. But we cannot either forget the mind-boggling amounts achieved by other authors such as Richard Prince, Piotr Uklanski and Cindy Sherman. But not only contemporary photography is obtaining success in the economic system of art. As proven in the last years, even historicized photographers, such as Edward Steichen, Alfred Stieglitz and Ansel Adams have reached high quotations. In other words, the economic sector of photography is constantly growing and this can be deduced from the numerous sales that the most important auction houses at international level continue organizing.
If you are collectors of this art sector, among the most interesting auctions of the month of October, you should write down in your diary at least two: one organized by Christie’s on the 14th and the other by Phillips de Pury on the 16th October, both in New York.
Reviewing the first New York sale, we have to point out the presence of truly important lots for their great aesthetic and artistic quality. Altogether 258 lots will be auctioned. The strongest piece of the sale is  “Black and White Vogue Cover (Jean Patchett), New York 1950” by Irving Penn, which will be proposed to the public present in the room for an estimate between 150 and 250 thousand dollars. Other works by the US photographer well-known for his visual communication played on the splendour of white and light, on the balance of forms and lines, on the harmonic matching of chromatic effects, will be proposed by Christie’s, such as “Poppy: Glowing Embers. New York 1968” (estimate 80-120 thousand dollars) and “Cuzco Children (Neg 2632) Perù. Dec.1948” (estimate 90-120 thousand dollars).
Another interesting selection includes works by Ansel Andams, American artist who marked the history of photography thanks to his search for the greatest depth of field and for his black and white landscape photos of the US National parks. We should mention: “Portfolio Four: What Majestic Word in Memory of Russel Varian” (estimate 90-120 thousand dollars) and “Ansel Adams: Porfolio VII” (estimate 80-120 thousand dollars). And we cannot underestimate the photographic work entitled  “Flowers” executed around 1852 by SouthWorth & Hawes [Albert S. Southworth], estimated at 100-150 thousand dollars and “Selected Images of Yosemite, Oregon, Northern California and Utah” by Carleton E. Watkins, presented by Christie’s New York with an estimate between 150 and 250 thousand dollars.
With regard to Phillips de Pury’s 227 lots, we can say that great names with great masterpieces will be offered at the auction, tempting collectors to buy. Even in this New York sale there will be authors that belong to the tradition of the history of photography. Among these we should mention Edward Steichen with “Triumph of the Egg.1921” (estimate 60-90 thousand dollars) and Edward Weston with “Nude on Sand, Oceano” (estimate 60-80 thousand dollars).
Furthermore, Phillips’ “Photographs” will auction many works by those who can be considered the holy “monsters” of photography. Among these the outstanding Helmut Newton, German fashion photographer, with “Charlotte Rapling at the Hotel Nord Pius II, Arles 1973” (estimate 120-180 thousand dollars), but also “Calla Lily #2,1984” by Robert Mapplethorpe and “Two Guedros, Morocco 1971” by Irving Penn (estimate 50-70 thousand dollars).
Last but least we will see “Lolindo Lion Charge, 1964” by Peter Beard (estimate 80-120 thousand dollars), US artist who suffered from Africa blues, well-known for his snapshots dedicated to animals which make the spectator aware of his passion for the Dark Continent.  (translated by Giorgina Arcuri)