Imogen Cunningham

Official Site for the Imogen Cunningham Trust

Print Provenance

Print Labels and Stamps

Cameras and Darkrooms

Photographic Processes

Print Provenance

Imogen Cunningham Estate Prints

Estate prints are printed directly from Imogen's original negatives, by the Cunningham Trust, and stamped with Imogen's facsimile signature and chop, authenticating that the print has been made and approved by the Imogen Cunningham Trust. These prints are archivally made by hand in the darkroom, and mounted and overmatted on 100% cotton rag museum board.

Imogen's script logo and the mark of the Chinese chop are blind stamped into the mounts of all Estate Prints.

The Chinese chop was developed by Imogen and designed by Shen Yao, a friend of Imogen's and a Professor of Linguistics at the University of Hawaii. The chop is composed of three Chinese characters, Im-o-gen, spelling out "Imogen" phonetically and also translating literally into the phrase "Ideas without end." A fourth character, the customary seal, was added

This label is an example of the label on the back mat of each Estate print, detailing the specifics of each print as well as the archival process.

We offer a selection of Estate photographs on this website and from our listed galleries. If you are interested in a particular photograph that is not represented on the site, please contact us and we will see if it is available.

The silver gelatin and platinum photographic processes for our Estate Prints are discussed in greater detail under 'Photographic Processes' in this section of the site.

Vintage and Original Prints with Certificate of Authenticity.

Vintage prints are photographs that Imogen printed herself, in her darkroom. These prints came directly from Imogen Cunningham, and are now held by the Imogen Cunningham Trust and paired with a Certificate of Authenticity.

This Certificate of Authenticity is a handprinted, letterpressed certificate on archival paper, with details specific to each print, including the title, print type, size and mount size, and additional notes regarding the image itself.

The Certificate of Authenticity is signed by Meg Partridge, Imogen's granddaughter and Director of the Imogen Cunningham Trust.

Each original print is paired with the Certificate of Authenticity by a matching serial number, matching the print to the certificate.

Signed Cunningham Prints

The Imogen Cunningham Trust has access to a small selection of signed Cunningham prints for sale. We describe the condition of each print, vintage when known, and details of the print as accurately as possible. These prints are guaranteed to be directly from the estate of Imogen Cunningham and have been in the family's hands since 1976.