Ansel Adams

mounted on Hi-Art illustration board, signed by the photographer in ink on the mount, his Carmel studio stamps (BMFA 7 and 8), titled by him in ink, on the reverse, matted, 1958, probably printed in the 1960s; accompanied by old paper frame backing with a Witkin Gallery, New York, stamp (This Is the American Earth pp. 88-9; Portfolios, p. 116; Letters and Images 1916-1984, p. 314; Ansel Adams at 100, pp. 104-05; Examples, p. 116; Autobiography, p. 174; Trees, p. 9; Grand Canyon and the Southwest, p. 85; History of Photography, p. 131)

This photograph is in generally excellent condition. The upper left tip of the print is lightly bumped and has slightly lifted from the mount. Under closest examination in raking light, a slight unevenness in the photograph's adhesion to the mount can be seen, particularly evident in the lower central portion. In the upper right quadrant there is a 2-inch horizontal linear indentation that does not break the emulsion. There are two other small indentations and various spots of retouching on the print. The corners of the cream-colored mount are slightly bumped, and the upper right corner is creased. The age-darkening of the mount at the upper left edge is possibly a result of sunning. Karen Haas's and Rebecca Senf's book, 'Ansel Adams in the Lane Collection,' publishes the most comprehensive list to date of the studio stamps and labels Adams used throughout his career. The authors' assessment of the use dates of stamps 7 and 8 on the reverse of this print is 1963 to 1973. The fact that this print is mounted to branded illustration board, as opposed to plain museum board, indicates a printing date in the 1960s, as does the fact that it is signed in ink as opposed to pencil. By the early 1970s, Adams is known to have switched from branded illustration board mounts to plain museum board. Around this time he also stopped signing his prints in ink in favor of pencil.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.