Photojournalism auction for killed photographer

Anton Hammerl working near Brega, Libya The first ever auction of contemporary photojournalism is to take place to raise money for a photographer who was killed in Libya. The auction, which features images by some of the world's leading photographers including Robert Capa, Sebastiao Salgado, Alex Sloth, Tim Hetherington and Platon, is being held to raise funds for Anton Hammerl's three young children.
Hammerl went missing in April last year after coming under fire from forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi while he was working as a freelance photographer in Libya.
For 44 days his family were told by Gaddafi's regime that he was alive and well, but it later emerged he had been left to die in the desert.
There are currently attempts under way to locate and recover the South African-born, London-based photographer's remains.
The Friends of Anton auction, which is being held in New York, will be hosted by Christiane Amanpour of ABC News and CNN.
Leading photographers have donated signed prints and many will also attend the auction, which is taking place on May 15.
Organisers said the auction was not only intended to raise funds for Mr Hammerl's children Aurora, 11, Neo, seven, and Hiro, one but would also raise awareness of the sacrifices made by photojournalists.
Since 2011 six photographers have lost their lives while working on assignments.
The organisers said Hammerl would have been "gobsmacked" that so many photojournalists he admired and inspired him have offered their work to help support his children.
“The upcoming ‘Friends of Anton’ auction at Christie’s is a milestone in contemporary photojournalism”, said New York-based collector Alan L. Paris.
"As a collector of photojournalism, I am particularly excited because this is the first ever auction dedicated to contemporary photojournalism.
"The contributors are top notch, the photos are of the highest quality, the material is fresh to the marketplace, and it is all for a very good cause.”