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PUNK The Definitive Photography Archive

Museum-quality photographs documenting the birth of punk, made by the photographers who were inside it. From CBGB and Max's Kansas City in New York to the Roxy and the London underground, the archive brings together vintage prints, contact sheets, Polaroids and rare exhibition works.

The photographers represented here were not covering a scene from outside. Roberta Bayley worked the door at CBGB and shot for Punk magazine. Godlis photographed the Bowery at night for years. Bob Gruen, Ebet Roberts, Allan Tannenbaum, Bobby Grossman, Marcia Resnick, Chris Stein and Michael Grecco each worked from within the same circle in New York, while Ian Dickson and Sheila Rock documented the parallel movement in Britain.

What survives in these photographs is the texture of the moment: small rooms, cheap light, and musicians who had not yet become famous. Each work is produced from the original negative or colour transparency, hand-signed by the photographer or the estate, and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity.

441 works
Richard Hell by a swimming pool, New York City, 1977, photographed by Chris Stein.
Richard Hell at pool, New York City, 1977TMPG·5894
Chris Stein From $1,000
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The Ramones with Arturo Vega, New York City, 1976, photographed by Roberta Bayley.
Ramones with Arturo Vega, New York City, 1976TMPG·5462
Roberta Bayley From $1,200
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Joey Ramone, CBGB, 1977, photographed by Godlis.
Joey Ramone, CBGB, 1977TMPG·1382
Godlis From $1,200
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Debbie Harry, Blondie, Max's Kansas City, New York City, 1977. Photograph by Ebet Roberts.
Debbie Harry, Blondie, Max's Kansas City, New York City, 1977TMPG·2118
Ebet Roberts From $1,000
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Patti Smith standing in profile with one hand at her hip in 1976. Photograph by Gijsbert Hanekroot.
Patti Smith in Profile, 1976TMPG·4982
Gijsbert Hanekroot From $1,000
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Lou Reed, New York City, 1976, photographed by Mick Rock.
Lou Reed, New York City, 1976TMPG·5974
Mick Rock From $1,500
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David Johansen, New York City, 1978, photographed by Roberta Bayley.
David Johansen, New York City, 1978TMPG·4070
Roberta Bayley From $1,400
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Patti Smith draped in the American flag on stage, photographed by Charlyn Zlotnik, 1978.
Patti Smith with the American Flag, 1978TMPG·4390
Charlyn Zlotnik From $1,000
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Ramones in the New York City subway, 1977, photographed by George DuBose.
Ramones, New York City Subway, 1977TMPG·5686
George DuBose From $1,300
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Television, First Avenue, New York City, 1977, photographed by Godlis.
Television, First Avenue, New York City, 1977TMPG·0742
Godlis From $1,200
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The Damned, Twin Towers, New York City, 1977, photographed by Roberta Bayley.
The Damned, Twin Towers, New York City, 1977TMPG·5190
Roberta Bayley From $1,400
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Richard Hell and Bob Quine, New York City, 1978, photographed by Godlis.
Richard Hell and Bob Quine, New York City, 1978TMPG·1830
Godlis From $1,200
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Patti Smith. Central Park, NYC. July 9, 1976, photographed by Bob Gruen.
Patti Smith, Central Park, New York City, 1976TMPG·2710
Bob Gruen From $1,200
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Dee Dee and Joey Ramone, Ramones, Date Unknown. Photograph by Ebet Roberts.
Dee Dee and Joey Ramone, Ramones, Date UnknownTMPG·8454
Ebet Roberts From $1,000
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Ramones performing on stage at CBGB, New York City, 1976, photographed by Bob Gruen.
Ramones, On Stage at CBGB, New York City, 1976TMPG·4150
Bob Gruen From $1,500
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Stiv Bators and Bebe Buell, New York City, photographed by Marcia Resnick.
Stiv Bators and Bebe Buell, New York CityTMPG·8358
Marcia Resnick $4,500
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Ramones Performing Live, New York City, 1977, photographed by Godlis.
Ramones Performing Live, New York City, 1977TMPG·0134
Godlis From $1,200
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Patti Smith, Ocean Grove, New Jersey, 1978. Photograph by Ebet Roberts.
Patti Smith, Ocean Grove, New Jersey, 1978TMPG·2246
Ebet Roberts From $1,000
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126 of 441 works