Gee, Helen (1919-2004) Photo by Gene Dauber. At Limelight, a Portrait of Helen Gee.
ca. 1956.
Gelatin silver print, stamped in ink with photographer's New York studio address and "HELEN GEE COLLECTION" on verso; 10 x 8 inches.
Helen Gee was the owner of New York City's first important post-war photography gallery, Limelight in Greenwich Village. Limelight doubled as a coffee house and salon where photographers, curators, collectors, and other creatives could meet to discuss their work. The income raised from the coffee shop supported the gallery and her own artistic career. Works by Ansel Adams, Robert Frank, Edward Weston were available for sale at affordable prices, some for less than 50 dollars apiece (when she was lucky). Limelight closed in 1961. The present image of Gee and was featured on the cover of Peter C. Bunnell's biography entitled, Helen Gee and the Limelight: The Birth of the Photography Gallery. This example is from Helen Gee's personal collection and is rarely if ever offered for sale.
