Ansel Adams

a group of 3 photographs, comprising Mill Valley View, Lodgepole Pines, and East Vidette at Sunset, each on one or more mounts, each signed or initialed and 2 dated in ink on the print, the mount, or the reverse, circa 1921-25 (Examples, p. 48) (3)

Acquired by violinist Dorothy Dunyon while a student of Cedric Wright, 1920s

By descent to the present owner

These three early, warm-toned photographs, on matte-surface paper, are in generally very good to excellent condition. 'East Vidette at Sunset' - This photograph is copyrighted and initiated 'AEA' in ink on the image. The print is double-mounted, and it is signed, titled, dated '1925,' and copyrighted in ink on the reverse. Age-appropriate silvering is visible overall. In the upper left quadrant, there is a pen-point-sized matte deposit, possibly original retouching. The print is on a double paper-mount, and there is a tack hole near its upper edge. The reverse of the mount is titled, copyrighted, and dated '1925' by Adams. 'Forest in Canon of Lyell Fork of Merced' (Lodgepole Pines) - This photograph, on a triple paper mount, is signed, titled, and inscribed in ink on another card that is on the reverse of the mount. The print is lifting slightly along the left edge from the mount. There is a 2-inch tideline on the lower mount edge, which does not affect the photograph. The card on the reverse of the mount is titled and annotated by Adams in ink: 'This always reminds me of a line by Edward Carpenter "Come unto Me, and I will give you rest."' Mill Valley View - The photograph, on warm textured paper, is detached from a thin, black paper-mount that is trimmed nearly to the print. The print is initialed 'AEA,' copyrighted, and dated ''25' in ink on the image. Small circular paper remnants on the reverse of the detached mount suggest that this print was once on a secondary mount. Erroneously inscribed on the reverse of this print in an unidentified hand in ink is: 'Taken by Ira Shattuck.' This is incorrect. Not only is the print initialed, dated, and copyrighted by Ansel Adams in ink on the image, this view was also published by Adams as a Parmelian print.
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.

These photographs come originally from the collection of violinist Dorothy Dunyon, who trained under Cedric Wright prior to a period of study abroad in the mid-to-late 1920s.  Wright, an acclaimed violinist and photographer with the Sierra Club, was a close friend of and formative mentor to Ansel Adams.