Description
- Ansel Adams
- 'PORTFOLIO FOUR: WHAT MAJESTIC WORD, IN MEMORY OF RUSSELL VARIAN'
(San Francisco: Sierra Club, 1963, an edition of 260), a portfolio of 15 photographs, each mounted, signed in ink on the mount, the printed portfolio label and number '197' in red ink on the reverse, in individual letterpress wrappers, 1943-63, printed in 1963; together with duplicate letterpress title/colophon/plate list and introduction by Adams, each with the number '197' in red ink. Folio, gilt-lettered gray linen portfolio with flaps and ties
Condition
The photographs are in generally excellent condition. The plates, with further condition notes, are as follows:
'Teklanika River, Mount McKinley National Park, Alaska' - In high raking light, a ½-inch crescent-shaped surface scuff is visible, which breaks the emulsion in 3 pin-point-sized areas.
'Sequoia Roots, Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park, California'
'Leaf, Glacier Bay National Monument, Alaska'
'Dunes, Oceano, California'
'Cathedral Peak and Lake, Yosemite National Park, California' - Minor edge chipping is visible along the middle right edge of the image.
'Vernal Falls, Yosemite Valley, California'
'Clearing Storm, Sonoma County Hills, California' - There is a pen-point-size impression in the lower edge of the mount.
'Oak Tree, Sunset City, Sierra Foothills, California'
'Castle Rock, Summit Road Above Saratoga, California' - Minor edge chipping is visible along the bottom right corner of the image.
'Northern California Coast, Redwoods' - Visible in raking light is a soft crescent-shaped crease, which may have occurred during mounting.
'Orchard, Early Spring, Near Stanford University, California'
'Siesta Lake, Yosemite National Park, California'
'Storm Surf, Timber Cove, California' - Visible upon close examination are two pin-point-sized deposits of original retouching in the upper left and upper right corners of the image.
'Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park, California'
'Sierra Nevada, Winter Evening from the Owens Valley, California' - Tiny edge chipping is visible along the bottom edge of the image.
The title/plate list/colophon, wrappers, mounts and linen portfolio are in generally excellent condition.
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.
Catalogue Note
The plates are as follows:
'Teklanika River, Mount McKinley National Park, Alaska'
'Sequoia Roots, Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park, California'
'Leaf, Glacier Bay National Monument, Alaska'
'Dunes, Oceano, California'
'Cathedral Peak and Lake, Yosemite National Park, California'
'Vernal Falls, Yosemite Valley, California'
'Clearing Storm, Sonoma County Hills, California'
'Oak Tree, Sunset City, Sierra Foothills, California'
'Castle Rock, Summit Road Above Saratoga, California'
'Northern California Coast, Redwoods'
'Orchard, Early Spring, Near Stanford University, California'
'Siesta Lake, Yosemite National Park, California'
'Storm Surf, Timber Cove, California'
'Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park, California'
'Sierra Nevada, Winter Evening from the Owens Valley, California'