Swann Auction Galleries to hold global auction for women's contributions to literature, politics & art

CAIRO – 1 June 2022: Swann Auction Galleries in New York, established in 1941, is holding a global auction titled “Focus On Women”, on June 2, 2022, to sell numerous printed works documenting the role, experiences, and contributions of women in literature, science, art, politics and thought.

The auction will witness bids for photos, prints, books, and more.

The most prominent of these works are related to the history of women's rights such as the right to vote. These include the documents of the history of women's suffrage from 1881 to 1922 by Susan B. Anthony, who played a pivotal role in the women's suffrage movement, as well as the document of the feminist activist Ida Husted Harper, with a starting price of $7,000, which is expected to reach $10,000.

That is in addition to a set of drawings of a woman in 1971, with a starting price of $800 that is expected to reach $1,200.

Also, a set of photos of activist Rosa Parks ($300-$500) will be auctioned, in addition to photos of Amelia Earhart ($300-&500), and a signed and engraved photo of Sally Ride ($150-&250), along with a selection of 16 photographs depicting women in space from 1995 to 2002 ($500-&750) and photos of Helen Keller ($400-&600).

Also on display is a 1908 autograph letter signed by Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross ($250-$350), and a letter from 1859 signed by Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom to King Francis II of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies ($700-$1000).

On the literary level, works of women of color will be presented, starting with a rare poem by Phyllis Wheatley printed in the London Journal in 1772 ($1500-$2500), and the biography of Sojourner Truth 1875 ($1000-$1500).

On the artistic level, a picture of the icon of seduction, Marilyn Monroe, by American photographer Eve Arnold will also be on display. Arnold took Monroe’s photo while in the Nevada desert during filming “The Misfits”. It was printed in 1960. The photo is for sale at a price starting from $2500 to $3500.