Ansel Adams

unique Polaroid Type 40-series print, inscribed with technical notations in ink on the reverse, framed, early to mid-1950s

Quito, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, From the Polaroid Collection: Ansel Adams, sponsored by the Embassy of the United States, October - November 2001, and traveling to 3 other venues through 2003 (see Appendix 1)

This early Polaroid print was made with Polaroid Type 40-series film, although the Polaroid database does not list specifically which film within the series was used. The series was introduced in 1948, and the series numbers ran from 40 to 48. The deckled edges present on this print, a feature of the earlier series of Polaroid films, suggests that it was made in the 1940s or 1950s. The Polaroid database dates this image as "probably early to mid 1950s." This early Polaroid photograph is in very good condition. Some very faint warm-toned discoloration is evident in the lower left corner. Some very faint mottling is visible in the sky area upon closer examination. When examined very closely in raking light, some scant evidence of the technical notations on the reverse can be seen on the image; this is not visible when the print is viewed normally. A small portion of the margin in the lower right corner is torn away – this does not affect the image.
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