- 2 Frassetto Way - Lincoln Park, NJ 07035
The Peter Benchley Collection: Jaws, A Life of Writing, A Legacy of Ocean Conservation.
Lot 237:
Description
Collection of photographs and press ephemera documenting the life and career of Peter Benchley (American, 1940-2006) with handwritten provenance and context notes from Wendy Benchley. The group includes color and black-and-white professional and personal photographs, featuring Benchley diving, participating in marine expeditions in Turks and Caicos and the Sea of Cortez, and interacting with marine life such as manta rays and sharks. A color print features a credit for underwater photographer Stan Waterman. The collection is supplemented by an ABC Visual Communication press release for The American Sportsman, which credits Benchley and oceanographer Sylvia Earle in the Stella Maris, Bahamas, and a Discovery Channel promotional sheet for Shark Week ’94. Largest: 14 x 11 in.
*Photo of Manta Ray from Sea of Cortez.
A personal note from Wendy Benchley: “It was important to Peter to have some kind of protection when taking part in documentaries about sharks. After all, camera men and women had their cameras to shove in a shark’s face, but he had nothing until he found a short piece of broom handle to wave at the sharks. Of course, it was a feeble gesture and he knew it, but still it gave some feeling of active protection. Also included in this lot are some photos of Peter working on wrecks with Teddy Tucker in Bermuda and the Turks and Caicos. It was always an adventure, and historically fascinating to him.”
From the personal collection of Peter Benchley (American, 1940–2006), acclaimed author of Jaws, accomplished diver, and prominent advocate for ocean and shark conservation.
Proceeds from the Peter Benchley Collection will benefit five ocean conservation organizations: Peter Benchley Ocean Awards, WildAid, Beneath the Waves, Blue Frontier and Environmental Defense Fund.
Condition report:
The collection is in good vintage condition. Observable defects include minor corner and edge wear across several prints and ephemera. Adhesive residue and staining are present on the reverse of some photographs. One large color print shows noticeable color shifting and fading. Several handwritten notes are on adhesive paper attached to the surface of the items.
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