The « Anderson » collection of photos sold for £ 2,06 million (US $ 3,33 million) by Sotheby's on May 2nd 1997
had in fact another provenance. The so-called collection of German-born Helene Anderson included works by Weston and Man Ray among other famous photographers and had been unknown so far. It had been offered for sale by her son who had claimed he had found such treasure in suitcases.
Important Avant-Garde Photographs
of the 1920s and 1930s.
The Helene Anderson Collection.
"Umbo", Cat, silver print
Doubts about the provenance of the collection had been expressed before the sale which took place in London and Sotheby's acknowledged early in February 1998 that it had been in fact assembled by Kurt Kirchbach, a Dresden industrialist. His widow died in 1995 in a Basel retirement home managed by Angelica Burdack, daughter in law of Helene Anderson.
According to Mrs Burdack's lawyer, the collection was given to her by Mrs Kirchbach who refused any mention of her name as to the fate of the photographies.
However, a specialist claimed that Mrs Kirchbach had prepared a will in the 1970's mentioning her wish to donate her collection as well as her paintings and sculptures to a foundation bearing her name to honor her husband's memory. Now the question lies whether the collection was given legally to the Burdack family or whether it was taken away from Mrs Kirchbach.
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