Edwin Levick

Born in London, Edwin Levick (1869 - 1929) became an admirer of the maritime world at an early age. The son of a British packet agent and consul, Levick attended school in France before moving with his family to Cairo, Egypt. Levick came to America in 1899 to work as a translator of Arabic for the Guaranty Trust Company in New York City. During hid first few years in the city, he wrote general news stories, often illustrated by his own photographs. Edwin's images caught on quickly and his photographs were soon popular enough that he gave up writing to become a full-time photographer. Balancing on the deck of a chase boat with a boxy mahogany view camera, initially limited to a supply of touchy glass-plate negatives, Edwin had to exercise extreme skill. In many cases, he had only one chance to capture the photograph he wanted. The resulting images were distinct and careful. Levick was at ease shifting from the bustling streets and gritty waterfront of New York City tot he polished decks of the most sophisticated yachts and ocean liners of his day. Many of his best photographs were taken from unusual perspectives that reveal unique points of view. For years, Edwin Levick was considered the official photographer of New York Yacht Club, covering everything from local society yachting events, to America's Cup races. Reflecting the energy and optimism of early 20th century industrial America, Levick's eloquent pictures included arriving immigrants, dock workers, lush ships interiors, wooden boat-building on Long Island, ships in dry dock, majestic ocean liners, fishing schooners, and the Manhattan harbor. On November 26, 1929, at age 61, Edwin Levick died of a heart disease at his home in New Rochelle, New York. He was at the peak of his career. Upon his death the New Rochelle Standard declare Levick the "best known maritime photographer in the nation...a genuinely artistic soul."

Edwin Levick Images:
Rainbow's Finish
Rainbow's Run
Ranger
There Is No Second Place