Auction introduction: This October, Sotheby’s is delighted to present The World of Eugène Atget: Photographs from The Museum of Modern Art, an auction of approximately seventy photographs of Paris and its environs. Comprising iconic street scenes, storefronts, parkscapes, botanicals, and still life, the auction offers a unique glimpse into late 19th and early 20th century Paris as well as an opportunity to engage with The Museum of Modern Art’s extensive exhibition and publication history. The Museum of Modern Art has played a pivotal role in the preservation and recognition of Atget’s place in the history of photography. Although the Museum had been collecting photographs since the early 1930s, its purchase in 1968 of nearly 5,000 photographs by Atget was transformative. The collection was purchased from Berenice Abbott, Atget’s champion, and the art dealer Julien Levy, through the generosity of Shirley C. Burden and Family of Man Fund. The photographs offered here were selected from this seminal collection. Proceeds from the sale will continue to benefit the development of MoMA's collection. Effective May 20th, 2024, Sotheby's has lowered its Buyer's Premium rates and removed Overhead Premium for all categories excluding Wine & Spirits. Sotheby's Overhead Premium will only be charged for Wine & Spirits lots. Please refer to the Conditions of Business located on the relevant sale page for the updated rates.