Untitled (comb)

Artist John F. Collins (American, 1888-1991)

Dateabout 1934

DimensionsOverall: 9 3/4 x 7 9/16 in. (24.7 x 19.2 cm);
Mount: 20 3/16 x 16 in. (51.3 x 40.7 cm)

MediumVintage gelatin-silver print

ClassificationPhotographs

Credit LinePurchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey

Object number

1993.43

Not on View

Label TextAt age 16, John Collins left his home in Ohio to see what was going on in the world through the lens of the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. He found work at the Fair in various capacities, but employment in a photo booth developing solar prints led to a life-long vocation. His continued photographic endeavors were always commercial in nature; however, his creativity always made his images stand apart. Even though he was praised for his artistic compositions, Collins saw himself as a simple communicator. “Let the art boys have their way if they want to call it art. To me, it’s a tool, a means of communication and education.” Collins was perhaps the first to produce political newsreels that were, in essence, commercials for individual politicians. His work is thought to have contributed to the election of Ohio representative John Hunter in the early 20th century.Exhibition HistoryToledo Museum of Art, Refraction/Reflection, April 20-September 2, 2012.