Eric Chaim Kline, Bookseller

Eric Chaim Kline, Bookseller

Robert Capa Documents the Making of "With the Abraham Lincoln Brigade in Spain" [WITH] Additional Photograph by Capa from Sicily, 1943 [A COLLECTION OF SIX ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPHS]

1937-1943. Original photographs. In the later part of 1937, with support from Leo Hurwitz's nonprofit documentary production company Frontier Films, the film-making team of American writer and documentarian Herbert Kline (1909-1999), famed French photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson, and French cinematographer Jacques Lemare (1912-1988) was sent to Spain to film footage for the purpose of raising awareness and money for The Abraham Lincoln Brigade (aka the Lincoln Battalion). This lauded military unit comprised of American volunteers, fought for the Republican cause during the Spanish Civil War. In Spain, acclaimed war photographer and photo-journalist Robert Capa, joined the film-making team as the official still photographer and as an additional cinematographer. Capa had been in Spain on and off since 1936 and was among the most important and prolific figures to visually document the war. The footage shot for this endeavor, combined with some additional newsreel content previously shot by Capa, was ultimately edited into the short documentary titled "With the Abraham Lincoln Brigade in Spain", and released in 1938. Kline and Cartier-Bresson were credited as directors, with Lemare credited as cinematographer.

The collection includes 5 original b/w photographs, of 4 different images (one duplicate), each measuring approximately 3 1/2 x 4 1/2". One image show the Kline, Cartier-Bresson and Lemare posing together with their equipment, another shows the group filming from the protection of a bunker, another of the men using binoculars, and another of a war-torn cityscape in ruins.

"With the Abraham Lincoln Brigade in Spain" was one of three short documentaries concerning the Spanish Civil War, to be produced within a period of less than two years by Frontier Films. Kline had only months earlier been in Spain filming footage that would be released as "Heart of Spain" (1937) with co-director and cinematographer Geza Karpathi (Charles Korvin). After "With the Lincoln Brigade", the same team of Kline, Cartier-Bresson, and Lemare (minus Capa) shot footage for the a piece focusing on the state of badly needed health care and supplies during the war, released as "Return to Life" (1938).

[WITH]

An additional photograph likely taken by Capa in Sicily, 1943. The larger images measures about 4 3/4 x 6 3/4", and shows an American medic treating a wounded soldier with an IV as locals look on with concern.


Included with the images is an a printed envelope with the name of Marcia Davenport, in which the photos were originally housed. Hand-written notes on the front of the image in blue marker state, "photos, Capa, Spain...". Most images with only the most minor of rubbing to the corners. The large photo is lightly creased in some corners. Overall the images are clean and vibrant. Very good- to very good condition overall. vg- to vg. Item #51127

This collection of stills comes from the archives of film editor and documentary filmmaker (Sidney Meyers, 1906-1969), who collaborated with Leo Hurwitz, first through the Photo League and "New Theater Magazine" and later was involved with Nykino and Frontier Films. He is known to have been involved with writing and/or editing many projects of Frontier Films during the period, including "Heart of Spain"(1937). It is thus likely that Meyers was involved with "With the Abraham Lincoln Brigade in Spain" in some capacity, possibly as an editor, although no editor is credited.

Price: $2,750.00

See all items in Photography
See all items by ,