Toodles by Alvin L. Coburn

Alvin L. Coburn (1882–1966) :: ‘Toodles (Elsie Thomas)’, ca. 1908. Gelatin silver print, printed in the 1980s | Ostlicht Auktion 2023

Coburn was given his first camera at the age of eight and was introduced to photography by his cousin Fred Holland Day. As early as 1902 he became a member of the New York Photo-Secession initiated by Alfred Stieglitz, and two years later his first pictures appeared in Stieglitz’s magazine “Camera Work”. A vintage print of this beautiful motif is hold at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH), there titled and dated. Coburn also made autochromes of the same model, showing the red colour of her kimono.

Alvin Langdon Coburn (1882–1966) :: ‘Toodles (Elsie Thomas)’, ca. 1908 | Ostlicht Auktion 2023
Alvin Langdon Coburn :: Elsie Thomas in an Eastern costume sitting on a hammock, ca.1908. Autochrome
Alvin Langdon Coburn :: Elsie Thomas in a red an Eastern costume with sunflower, ca.1908. Autochrome Lumière
Alvin Langdon Coburn :: Elsie Thomas (‘Toodles’) in an Eastern costume, ca.1908
Alvin Langdon Coburn :: Elsie Thomas wearing an Eastern costume, ca.1908