Ansel Adams

from a Polaroid Type 55 negative, mounted, signed in pencil on the mount, a Carmel studio stamp (BMFA 11), title and annotation in ink on the reverse, 1968, probably printed between 1973 and 1977 (Polaroid Land Photography, p. 202; Singular Images, p. 53; 400 Photographs, p. 411)

This print is in generally excellent condition. When examined in raking light, 2 tiny deposits of original retouching are visible. It has undergone minor conservation, and a treatment report is available upon request. 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 stamp 11 on the reverse of the print's mount is 1973 to 1977.
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.

Ansel Adams wrote about the making of this image in his An Autobiography,

'Many of my most successful photographs from the 1950s onward have been made on Polaroid film.  A favorite image is El Capitan, Winter, Sunrise, made in 1968 with Polaroid Type 55 P/N material.  The greatest glory of Yosemite is witnessed during the dawn following a snowstorm.  On this snowy morning, I urgently searched the valley for a photograph, for soon after sunrise the trees and valley walls lose their white frosting of snow in the growing warmth of the day.  I found El Capitan, the largest single piece of granite in the world, heroically revealed as the clouds and mist flowed about its huge form in wreaths and ribbons.  One look at the tonal quality of the print I achieved should convince the unintiated of the truly superior quality of Polaroid film' (p. 302).