Sotheby's is to auction a major collection of photographs from Robert Frank's iconic series The Americans (1958).

The top lot is a print of New Orleans (Trolley), which carries an estimate of $200,000-300,000.

Robert Frank was a pioneering American photographer

It last sold for $204,000 at Sotheby's in 2006.

The auction house explains: "New Orleans (Trolley) is perhaps the most indelible photograph from The Americans.

"It was chosen as the cover image for the first American edition of the book, and has thus become the representative icon for the whole series. 

"As a commentary on race relations in 1950s America, it stands as one of the most culturally resonant photographs in Frank's oeuvre. In terms of Frank's masterful composition, it is perhaps his most aesthetically accomplished work."

The record for Frank's work is held by a print of New Orleans (Trolley) that sold for $663,750 at Christie's in 2013.

Frank was awarded a Guggenheim grant in 1955 and used it to travel across the US. The result was The Americans, which is considered one of the greatest and most influential photobooks of all time.

The sale will feature other iconic works from the series, including Hoboken (Parade), which is valued at $120,000-180,000.

The sale will take place in New York on December 17.

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