Colorful photographer and photojournalist (1899–1968), born Arthur Fellig, whose sensationalistic images of murder, mayhem and other dramatic events appeared regularly in the New York press in the 1930s and ’40s. He later took up “art” photography and won acclaim for his wry series of distortion portraits achieved by means of special lenses and prisms. Though the origin of his distinctive professional name remains uncertain, the most pervasive is the tongue-in-cheek claim of “psychic powers” that enabled him to be first at the scene of crimes, fires, and accidents. ALS, one page both sides, 5.25 x 8.25, Hotel La Louisiane, Paris letterhead, November 3, 1962. Weegee writes to an unnamed correspondent. In part: “Things are breaking fast … now it looks like there might be a Weegee book, in conection [sic] with the movie. What I need, is copies of my books—Naked City, Weegee’s People, Naked Hollwood [sic], Weegee’s Creative Camera, etc., not forgetting the souvenir book on Windjammer. The pictures are going like hot cakes, Tuesday I get paid by a French magazine—which kept 123 of the Met painting pictures. Also sales in Italy, Germany, etc…. The cameras are waiting & I must emote….” A few creases and wrinkles, otherwise fine condition. R&R COA.
