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Arthur Steel

British, b. 1936

Photographer Arthur Steel's archive of iconic images is nothing short of fabulous, and counts David Walliams as a collector. His most famous photograph is arguably of Diana and Charles's kiss on the balcony on their wedding day. He was one of just a handful of photographers who were on the "royal rota" that day.

Regarded as a highly respected editor and Fleet Street photographer, Arthur photographed a vast array of celebrities over the years. In his images one can see how at ease his subjects felt in his company, such as Eric Morecambe within his study, Elton John at home with his songwriting partner Bernie Taupin, George Best surrounded by bubble bath or even the "Iron Lady" Margaret Thatcher in her bedroom applying makeup.

Today, Steel oversees and authenticates the production of his extremely rare photographic limited edition prints from negatives only recently unearthed from his personal treasured archive.

Arthur's collector base continues to grow internationally. Notably, his work is found at Gordon Ramsay's restaurant in Mayfair, London, as well as Gordon Ramsay restaurants in Kuala Lumpur and Macao.

Find authentic Arthur Steel photography today on 1stDibs.

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Artist: Arthur Steel
‘Twiggy’ by Arthur Steel Limited Edition
By Arthur Steel
Located in London, GB
‘Twiggy’ Chelsea, London, 1966 by Arthur Steel Paper size: 40 x 28.5 inches / 102 x 71 cm Framing options available. Fashion shoot at her then boyfr...
Category

1970s Modern Arthur Steel

Materials

Silver Gelatin

‘Lend Me Your Ear’ by Arthur Steel Limited Edition
By Arthur Steel
Located in London, GB
‘Lend Me Your Ear’ by Arthur Steel Paper size: 20 x 13.5 inches / 51 x 34 cm Framing options available. Bassett Hounds ‘Daffy’ & ‘Joyful’. Note: Imag...
Category

1960s Modern Arthur Steel

Materials

Silver Gelatin

‘The Iron-ing Lady’ Margaret Thatcher by Arthur Steel Limited Edition
By Arthur Steel
Located in London, GB
‘The Iron-ing Lady’ by Arthur Steel Paper size: 40 x 26 inches / 102 x 66 cm Framing options available. Dennis and Margaret Thatcher (Known as The Iron Lady...
Category

1970s Modern Arthur Steel

Materials

Silver Gelatin

‘Well Heeled’ by Arthur Steel Limited Edition
By Arthur Steel
Located in London, GB
‘The Picture Frame’ by Arthur Steel Oversize Paper size: 44 x 33.5 inches / 112 x 85 cm signed & numbered on front limited edition of 20 only this size...
Category

1970s Modern Arthur Steel

Materials

Silver Gelatin, Black and White

‘Careless Whispers’ by Arthur Steel Limited Edition
By Arthur Steel
Located in London, GB
‘Careless Whispers’ by Arthur Steel Paper size: 40 x 32 inches / 102 x 80 cm Framing options available. Dog’s Names: ‘Buster’ on the left and ‘Dumpli...
Category

1680s Modern Arthur Steel

Materials

Silver Gelatin

‘What A Wonderful World’ by Arthur Steel Limited Edition
By Arthur Steel
Located in London, GB
‘What A Wonderful World’ by Arthur Steel Paper size: 20 x 13 inches / 51 x 33 cm Framing options available. Note: Image unearthed January 2013. Arthur recalls: “Heathrow’s press officer led me to the departure lounge where Louis and his wife were seated. Their luggage, including his trumpets, were already checked in and so initially I was a little lost as to what I could do to create a good shot. I put the idea to him that if he pretended to play the trumpet it might make a winning picture, luckily for me he cheerfully agreed. I only took two frames and just knew that I had a magical shot in the bag. A short while later the couple were boarding the plane and they kindly gave me a wonderful farewell wave picture too.” Camera: Leica 35mm. Film stock: Kodak Tri-X Pan. Location: Heathrow Airport, London. Year: 1968. Collection: Platinum. Print Type: Fibre-based Harman Galerie FB Digital. Printed by: Metro Imaging. Film stock: Kodak Tri-X Pan. Location: Chelsea, London. Year: 1965. Collection: Platinum. Print Type: Fibre-based Harman Galerie FB Digital. Printed by: Metro Imaging. Limited Editions: All prints are limited editions, no further prints are produced once sold. 60″ prints / edition of 5 50″ prints / edition of 10 40″ prints / edition of 20 30″ prints / edition of 30 20″ prints / edition of 50 12″ prints / edition of 50 Bespoke: All prints are bespoke and printed to order. Presentation: 12 and 20 inch prints are titled, numbered, signed and carefully enfolded in acid free tissue paper, supplied flat in an acid free 4mm 3-ply box for delivery and storage purposes. The boxes are ideal for gift wrapping. The larger 30, 40, 50 and 60 inch prints are also titled, numbered, signed and carefully enfolded in acid free tissue paper and inserted into a rigid 4mm thick protective cardboard tube for delivery. Certificate of Authenticity: Each print acquired from The Arthur Steel Archive is accompanied by an individually signed Certificate of Authenticity. Copyright: © Arthur Steel / The Arthur Steel Archive. Biography: In 1964 Louis Armstrong recorded his biggest selling record “Hello Dolly” (a song that he had forgotten even recording!). The song went to No.1 on the pop chart, making Armstrong (age 63) the oldest person to ever accomplish that feat. Spurred by the unexpected worldwide success Louis was suddenly in demand for every television venue available. A new generation of music buyers were handed a hearty introduction to the King of Jazz, though for many it was a long time before they could hope to grasp his importance. His last big hit, “What a Wonderful World”, didn’t really leave it’s mark until it’s inclusion in the film ‘Good Morning Vietnam’, 16 years after he had passed away. Arthur Steel photographed Louis Armstrong at London’s Heathrow Airport just before he boarded an Airplane destined for his home, The United States of America. The photograph perfectly encapsulates the heart and soul of Louis Armstrong: Anytime he appeared on film, played on stage, or performed on record, it was, indeed, a wonderful, wonderful world. Louis Daniel Armstrong (August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971), nicknamed Satchmo, Satch, and Pops, was an American trumpeter, composer, singer and occasional actor who was one of the most influential figures in jazz. His career spanned five decades, from the 1920s to the 1960s, and different eras in the history of jazz. In 2017, he was inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. Armstrong was born and raised in New Orleans. Coming to prominence in the 1920s as an “inventive” trumpet and cornet player, Armstrong was a foundational influence in jazz, shifting the focus of the music from collective improvisation to solo performance. Around 1922, he followed his mentor, Joe “King...
Category

1960s Modern Arthur Steel

Materials

Silver Gelatin

WELL HEELED Westminster Bridge, London 1973 limited edition photograph
By Arthur Steel
Located in London, GB
About the work: Photographer Arthur Steel had just acquired a 19mm lens for his Leica flex SL9 and was keen to explore it’s ability to focus very close-up. Platform shoes were all the rage at the time and he was inspired to capture them on Westminster Bridge...
Category

1970s Arthur Steel

Materials

Archival Paper, Digital

THE QUIET BEATLE - George Harrison limited edition black and white photograph
By Arthur Steel
Located in London, GB
A Portrait of George Harrison of ‘The Beatles’ Rock Band by British photographer Arthur Steel. Image unearthed September 2018. Arthur recalls: “George and I hit it off the moment w...
Category

1960s Photorealist Arthur Steel

Materials

Digital

Forty Licks Mick Jagger 1977 limited edition iconic photograph by Arthur Steel
By Arthur Steel
Located in London, GB
Of this iconic one of a kind photo by British photographer Arthur Steel he shared: "I'm a great believer in luck and one day in London I was walking just off Fleet Street. Unexpected...
Category

1970s Photorealist Arthur Steel

Materials

Digital

Rocket Men Bernie Taupin and Elton John 1985 limited edition photograph
By Arthur Steel
Located in London, GB
Elton John with lyricist Bernie Taupin at Elton’s home in Old Windsor taken in 1985 taken by British photographer Arthur Steel. Arthur's archive of iconi...
Category

1980s Photorealist Arthur Steel

Materials

Digital

I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND - John & Cynthia Lennon
By Arthur Steel
Located in London, GB
John Lennon takes a fall whilst skiing with his wife Cynthia whom he met in 1958 at the Liverpool College of Art. Note: Image unearthed January 2013. Arthur recalls: “I started wor...
Category

1960s Realist Arthur Steel

Materials

Digital

Twiggy
By Arthur Steel
Located in London, GB
Fashion shoot at Twiggy's boyfriend Justin de Villeneuve’s home, Chelsea 1966. Iconic and stylish. One of a kind. Camera: Leica 35mm. Film stock: Kodak Tri-X Pan. Location: Chelsea, London. Year: 1966. Edition of 30 at this size. Other sizes available contact us for more information. All prints are titled, numbered, signed and carefully enfolded in acid free tissue paper and inserted into a rigid 4mm thick protective cardboard tube for delivery. This is for print only. Certificate of Authenticity: Each print acquired from The Arthur Steel Archive is accompanied by an individually signed Certificate of Authenticity. ABOUT ARTHUR STEEL This photographer's archive of iconic images is nothing short of fabulous, and counts David Walliams as a collector. His most famous photograph is arguably of Diana and Charles's kiss on the balcony on their wedding day. He was one of just a handful of photographers who were on the 'royal rota' that day. Regarded as a highly respected editor and Fleet Street photographer, Arthur photographed a vast array of celebrities over the years. In his images one can see how at ease his subjects felt in his company, such as Eric Morecambe within his study, Elton John at home with his songwriting partner Bernie Taupin...
Category

1960s Photorealist Arthur Steel

Materials

Archival Paper, Digital

The Picture Frame limited edition photography by Arthur Steel iconic London
By Arthur Steel
Located in London, GB
About the image: Arthur used to pass a shop in London that sold nothing but antique picture frames and he started to think of what I could use them for, a scene of some kind was unf...
Category

1960s Photorealist Arthur Steel

Materials

Archival Paper, Digital

What A Wonderful World 1968 photograph of Louis Armstrong by Arthur Steel
By Arthur Steel
Located in London, GB
Louis Armstrong practices his scales exclusively for Arthur Steel’s camera whilst awaiting a flight back to his home from touring. Image unearthed January 2013. Printed Later. Arth...
Category

1960s Photorealist Arthur Steel

Materials

Digital

Arthur Steel art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Arthur Steel available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Arthur Steel in silver gelatin print, digital print, archival paper and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the modern style. Not every interior allows for large Arthur Steel, so small editions measuring 13 inches across are available. Arthur Steel prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $995 and tops out at $12,200, while the average work can sell for $3,995.

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