Ansel Adams

a group of 4 unique Polaroid Type 50-series prints of Gravestone Carvings with Hands, one inscribed with technical notations in ink in the margin, one with the 'Polaroid Land Photograph by Ansel Adams' stamp on the reverse, each framed, 2 with Polaroid Collection and Ansel Adams & Edwin Land labels and Polaroid Collection stamps on the reverse, 1962-75 (4)

Clasped Hands with Olive Leaf; Pointing Hand with Scroll; and Hand with Oddfellows Linked Rings:

Pittsburgh, Ansel Adams at Silver Eye Center for Photography, November 1999 - January 2000

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)

Clasped Hands with Olive Leaf and Pointing Hand with Scroll:

Naples, Florida, Museum of Art, Ansel Adams & Edwin Land: Art, Science and Invention, Photographs from the Polaroid Collection, May - July 2004, and traveling to 8 other venues through 2007 (see Appendix 1)

Clasped Hands with Olive Leaf – Type 52 print. Exhibited in 'Ansel Adams at Silver Eye,' the 'Embassy Show,' and 'Ansel Adams & Edwin Land.' Slightly warm-toned overall. Condition excellent. The number '60' inscribed in an unidentified hand in ink on the margin. Pointing Hand with Scroll – Type 52 print. Exhibited in 'Ansel Adams at Silver Eye,' the 'Embassy Show,' and 'Ansel Adams & Edwin Land.' The 'Polaroid Land Photograph by Ansel Adams' stamp on the reverse. Condition excellent aside from very minor soiling in margin. Small cello tape remains on reverse. Hand Holding Flowers – Type 52 print. Adams's technical notations are written in ink in the right margin. Several soft handling creases can be seen in the right portion of the print when it is viewed in raking light – these are not obtrusive and do not diminish the print's pleasing appearance. Cello tape remains on reverse. Hand with Oddfellows Linked Rings – Type 53 print. Exhibited in 'Ansel Adams at Silver Eye' and the 'Embassy Show.' The print has a pleasing warm tonality overall. When examined in raking light, a faint fingerprint can be seen in the glossy surface in the upper left quadrant. There is a small tear in the lower right margin, and soiling in the upper margin, not affecting the image. Masking and cello tape remains on the reverse.
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.