Perhaps the most important street photographer of the twentieth century was a nanny who kept everything to herself. Nobody had ever seen her work and she was a complete unknown until the time of her death. For decades Vivian’s work hid in the shadows until decades later (in 2007), historical hobbyist John Maloof bought a box full of never developed negatives at a local auction for $380.
What a formidable woman! And all her work could have easily been lost forever. We’re lucky that didn’t happen.
Planetary – Agreed. And it makes you wonder how much good work of all types has been simply lost to all of us.
Indeed. The Antiques Roadshow (UK) has had some staggering examples over the years of people even burning the most priceless artifacts because they didn’t have a clue……