On offer here is an extremely rare opportunity to own an original, large-format photograph by Graham Smith (b. 1947).

This is a stunning signed and titled photograph of Easington Colliery, County Durham, 1977, capturing the raw essence of working-class life in the North of England during the decline of the coal industry.

What makes this example particularly exceptional is:
✅ It is signed twice—once on the front mount and again on the reverse of the image, ensuring authenticity.
✅ It is significantly larger than a recent auction result for the same image.

📏 Size Rarity & Investment Value:

The frame measures 27 inches by 23 inches, while the image itself is 21 inches by 17.5 inches.

In November 2023, an identical image sold at Chiswick Auctions, London, for £3,500. However, the auction example was only 10.5 inches by 13.5 inches, making it considerably smaller.

Size Comparison Calculation:

• Chiswick Auction Photogarph: 10.5″ x 13.5″ → 142 square inches
• This Photograph: 21″ x 17.5″ → 368 square inches
• This Photograph is over 2.5x larger (368 ÷ 142 = 2.59 times the size)

📌 Large-format prints like this are incredibly rare and were often produced for exhibitions, serious collectors, or institutions. Given the significant size increase, double signature, and rarity of large examples, this particular print represents an even greater investment opportunity than the one sold at auction.

🖼️ About the Artist:

Graham Smith is one of Britain’s most important documentary photographers, renowned for his deeply evocative and intimate portrayals of working-class communities in the North East of England during the 1970s and 1980s.

His work has been exhibited in major galleries, including:
🏛️ Serpentine Gallery, London
🏛️ Side Gallery, Newcastle
🏛️ Hayward Gallery, London

Smith also collaborated with the legendary Chris Killip for the acclaimed 1985 exhibition “Another Country”, which documented industrial life and social change in Northern England.

His work is held in prestigious museum collections worldwide, including:
📍 Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York
📍 Victoria & Albert Museum, London
📍 National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

Due to its historical significance and rarity, Smith’s work is highly sought after by collectors and institutions alike.

💰 Investment Potential & Pricing Justification

Graham Smith’s works have consistently sold for thousands at major auction houses.

🔹 A smaller version of this exact image (2.5x smaller) sold for £3,500 at Chiswick Auctions, London, in 2023.
🔹 This version is a much rarer, large-format print with a double signature, making it significantly more desirable.
🔹 Large-format, signed prints by Smith are exceptionally rare and often acquired by major institutions and collectors.

Given the size increase, dual signature, and investment potential, this print is priced accordingly for serious buyers.

📌 Final Notes:

This is an exceptional opportunity to acquire a rare, large-format photograph by one of the most respected British documentary photographers of the 20th century. Serious inquiries only.