Gauntlet Gallery — Martha Cooper Print Index
Skateboard For Charity
Summary
Skateboard For Charity is a 2019 black-and-white photographic print by Martha Cooper, issued in a limited run of 55 at 11 x 14 inches (36 x 28 cm). Hand-signed by the artist, the image continues Cooper's decades-long documentation of youth and street culture, here tied to a charitable release framing rather than a purely commercial edition.
Why It Matters
A tight edition of 55 keeps this among Cooper's scarcer photographic releases. The black-and-white treatment aligns with her earliest and most recognizable documentary work, and the charity framing gives the piece a distinct backstory. For collectors, it combines a small print run with Cooper's signature and a clear, self-contained subject.
Collector Perspective
Confirm the hand signature and edition number, as the run is small enough that numbering matters. The bilingual French and English release language points to a European gallery or exhibition context, useful for provenance tracing. Black-and-white prints reward careful lighting and archival framing; check for tonal fading or surface abrasion before acquiring.
Historical Context
Cooper's black-and-white photography reaches back to her formative 1970s and 1980s New York fieldwork, when she documented subway graffiti and street play. A 2019 charity-linked release extends that practice into a philanthropic frame, reflecting how established documentary photographers increasingly channel limited editions toward causes while keeping their aesthetic register intact.
FAQ
How large is the Skateboard For Charity edition?
It was released as a limited run of 55 hand-signed prints.
Is the print color or black and white?
It is a black-and-white photographic print.
What are the dimensions?
The print measures 11 x 14 inches, or approximately 36 x 28 cm.
Is it signed?
Yes, each print is hand-signed by Martha Cooper.
About the Artist
Martha Cooper (born 1943 in Baltimore) is an American photojournalist celebrated for documenting New York City graffiti and street culture in the 1970s and 1980s. A former New York Post staff photographer, she co-authored the landmark 1984 book "Subway Art" with Henry Chalfant, which became a foundational document of graffiti culture worldwide. Her images preserved a transient art form and influenced generations of writers. Cooper continues to photograph street art and urban life globally, and her archive is recognized as an essential visual record of hip-hop and graffiti history.
Collecting Martha Cooper at Gauntlet Gallery
What should I look for when buying a Martha Cooper photograph?
Seek signed archival or gelatin silver prints with clear edition information, print date, and format. Many of her most famous images from "Subway Art" exist as later signed editions, so confirm the printing and edition size. Gauntlet Gallery documents the print type, edition details, and condition for each Cooper photograph.
How is a Martha Cooper print authenticated?
Authentication depends on the artist's signature, edition numbering, and provenance from a gallery, publisher, or the studio, plus any certificate provided. Matching a print to a documented edition is the key check. Gauntlet Gallery includes the available paperwork and provenance and states the printing method for each work.
What drives value in Martha Cooper's work?
Value is led by her most iconic graffiti and hip-hop images, vintage prints, small edition sizes, signature, and condition. Photographs tied directly to "Subway Art" and the early NYC scene attract the strongest interest. Signed, well-preserved limited editions with solid provenance hold value best.