Ethel Waters By Roy Schatt: Vintage 8x10 Gelatin Silver Print Signed Cabin In The Sky

The Image (Recto): This stunning image captures the unparalleled Ethel Waters, an artist whose vocal brilliance and theatrical dominance paved the way for generations of jazz vocalists. Schatt pioneered what has been termed "method photography"—a style relying almost exclusively on natural, available light to capture candid, unstaged, and psychologically penetrating likenesses of his subjects. Unlike rigid, heavily lit studio portraits that dominated the music and film industry, Schatt utilized unobtrusive camera equipment to capture his subjects in vulnerable, human moments. Here, Waters is captured with a radiant, deeply genuine smile, stripping away the show-business veneer to present the warm, formidable woman behind the legend. Crucially, this specific print boasts a beautiful, bold signature by Roy Schatt across the lower right margin of the recto.

The Provenance (Verso): The verso of this photograph boasts the ultimate, indisputable markers of authenticity required by serious Schatt collectors. It features the artist's official proprietary studio rubber wetstamps in magenta, clearly reading "ROY SCHATT / 149 E. 33rd N.Y. 10016 / MU. 3-9491 / PHOTOGRAPHER" alongside the "ROY SCHATT ©" copyright stamp. It also features the handwritten historical notation "ETHEL WATERS CABIN IN THE SKY," referencing her iconic starring role, as well as the archival catalog number "425" in the upper right corner.

CONDITION PROTOCOL:

Please refer to the generously-sized scans/photos for details regarding the condition and content of each item. Unless otherwise stated, the images provided are accurate representations of the item you are bidding on. Please let me know if you see anything that is inaccurate or has errors in our listings, so we can correct it. If you have any questions about an item before bidding or purchasing, please don't hesitate to ask.

Listing Terms & Conditions: Archival Physical Asset Transfer:

1. Transfer of Physical Ownership: This listing is for the purchase of the physical, vintage photographic print described herein. Ownership transfer is governed by the First Sale Doctrine (17 U.S.C. § 109).

2. Intellectual Property Exclusion: Acquisition of this physical print does NOT constitute a transfer of copyright, licensing rights, or intellectual property. All rights to the underlying image remain the property of the original creator, their estate, or designated rights-holders.

3. Limitation of Use: This item is sold as a "Collector’s Artifact" for private display only. Any reproduction, digitization, or commercial exploitation of the image by the buyer is strictly prohibited and may constitute copyright infringement.

4. Provenance & Condition: This item is a vintage "found" artifact. It is sold "As-Is." The Seller makes no claims regarding the history of the print prior to acquisition beyond what is visible on the physical medium (e.g., studio stamps, verso notations).

5. Right of Publicity: If the subject of the photograph is an identifiable individual, the buyer assumes all liability regarding "Rights of Publicity" should the buyer attempt to use the image for commercial or promotional purposes.