Help yourself to D. James Dee’s luscious, sprawling photographic archive of the modern New York art scene. He has about 250,000 color transparencies and slides, ranging in size from 35 millimeter to 8 by 10 inches, documenting the work of almost every important artist of the last 40 years and installations at some of the most influential galleries. And, yes, he’s giving them away.

All you’ll need is a truck large enough to hold 65 cardboard file boxes. It would help if you represent a nonprofit organization, because Mr. Dee hopes to receive a tax deduction for donating his life’s work. But that’s not a deal breaker. You should, however, be conversant with modern American art history. Really conversant.

Almost none of the transparencies and slides are labeled.

Mr. Dee, 68, has retired after a 39-year career as the SoHo Photographer, documenting work for artists, galleries, exhibitions, books and portfolios. He is leasing his space at 12 Wooster Street, just north of Canal Street, and moving with his wife, Sarala, to Miami. The moving vans will arrive on July 24. The photo collection will not come with him.