Lot 7
  • 7

Ansel Adams

Estimate
5,000 - 7,000 USD
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Description

  • Ansel Adams
  • 'Grass and Rain, Alaska'
  • Gelatin silver print
mounted, signed in pencil on the mount, the photographer's '131 - 24th Avenue San Francisco' studio stamp (BMFA 4), titled and numbered in red ink (crossed out), Carmel studio stamps (BMFA 7 and 8), titled and numbered '65' in black ink, and with a 'Virginia Adams Collection' stamp on the reverse, overmatted, hinged to a modern mount, 1948, probably printed between 1950 and 1962 (This is The American Earth, p. 51)

Condition

This print is in generally excellent condition. It is overmatted, and a mat is hinged to the overmat. On the reverse of the mat, there is a 'Photograph by Ansel Adams / 181 Van Ess Way Carmel, California 93923' stamp, with title and date in an unidentified hand in pencil, and a 'Virginia Adams Collection' stamp. On the reverse of the mount, Adams has titled this photograph both 'Grass and Rain, Alaska' and 'Grass and Rain Drops, Alaska.' Also on the reverse are numerical notations in pencil and ink. In the lower left corner of the mount, there is a 2-inch rectangular brown paper remnant. 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 4 is 1950 to 1962. As stamp 4 is crossed out, it is likely that Adams re-stamped this print with stamps 7 and 8 (commonly used between 1963 to 1970) after he moved. The stamps on the reverse of the mat are not included in Haas's and Senf's book.
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.