The Story Behind the Legendary Magnum Archive Sale | Raw File

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The Story Behind the Legendary Magnum Archive Sale

Last week, one of the most important photojournalism archives in history, the Magnum Photo Agency‘s press prints collection, was sold to Michael Dell of Dell computers. Specifically, to Dell’s private investment firm, MSD Capital LP. The collection will b

via WIRED: http://www.wired.com/rawfile/2010/02/magnum-archive-sale/

For Magnum, the deal is somewhat of a coup, having simultaneously achieved two intended objectives. Firstly, it has secured significant funds to build Magnum’s immediate business intent — namely, direct content distribution. Secondly, it has outsourced the preservation of works and promotion of the Magnum brand to the Ransom Center, a third-party with the requisite specialized skills.