101

Lewis W. Hine

1874-1940

Girls at Sewing Machine Showing Curvature of Spine. January 1917.

Silver print
With Hine's negative number "4674" in pencil on verso; and a Witkin Gallery label "Original Lewis W. Hine Print Made For the National Child Labor Committee" with the typed title, date, negative number, and price on mat verso.
The image 4 3/4 x 6 5/8 in. (12.1 x 16.8 cm.), the sheet slightly larger

  • Notes:
    This photograph is from a scarce Hine series depicting workers with physical injuries. The key to negative numbers for Hine photographs for the National Child Labor Committee identifies negative numbers 4665 through 4674 as "workers with back injuries." The full National Child Labor Committee caption reads: "No. 1. Fairly good position. Right dorsal curvature. No. 2. Correct position for postural case. No. 3. Shows a below fair position for for right dorsal curve. If these correct positions could be maintained at work, chairs properly adjusted and exercise and fresh air given, work would not be harmful. Need for advice of examining physician. Location: Boston, Massachusetts."

    Images from this series are exceedingly rare; another image from this series (depicting a single young woman Sewing Girl, Showing Curvature of the Spine) was reproduced in Photography Rediscovered: American Photographs, 1900 – 1930, the catalogue of an exhibition at the Whitney Museum of American Art in 1979.
  • Condition: For condition reports, email Deborah Rogal at [email protected]

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February 12, 2026 12:00 PM EST
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