Edward J. Kelty

ONCE DESCRIBED AS THE CECIL B. DEMILLE OF STILL LIFE PHOTOGRAPHY, EDWARD J. KELTY WAS AN ALLEGEDLY HARD-DRINK PHOTOGRAPHER FROM MANHATTAN, SPECIALISING IN PHOTOGRAPHING BANQUETS AND CIRCUS PERFORMERS DURING THE DEPRESSION. 

HE HAD A LARGE, SPECIALLY MADE ‘BANQUETING’ CAMERA WHICH HE LOADED INTO THE BACK OF HIS VAN TO VISIT SEVERAL VENUES A DAY, AT THE END OF WHICH HE WOULD DEVELOP HIS NEGATIVES IN THE BACK OF THE VAN FROM WHENCE HE WOULD SELL THEM FOR $1.25 EACH. 

KELTY MYSTERIOUSLY PUT DOWN HIS CAMERA IN 1940 AND NEVER USED IT AGAIN. TODAY HIS PHOTOGRAPHS ARE BOTH RARE AND HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE, OFFERING A WINDOW INTO THE WORLD OF THE CIRCUS WHICH TRAVELLED THROUGHOUT DEPRESSION-ERA AMERICA.