Ansel Adams

mounted, signed in pencil on the mount, the photographer's Carmel studio stamp (BMFA 11), with title in ink, on the reverse, 1921, printed in 1974; together with 'Sierra Nevada: The John Muir Trail' (Berkeley: The Archetype Press, 1938), a book illustrated with 50 tipped-in halftones. Large folio, ivory cloth lettered in black ink, signed and editioned '459' in ink on the colophon (2)

The book is in generally very good to excellent condition. The pages are appropriately age-darkened along the edges. The ivory cloth cover is slightly yellowed and soiled, and the spine is splitting in a few places. The gelatin silver print is in generally excellent condition. Upon close examination, a cluster of tiny rust-colored deposits is visible in the center left portion of the image. When examined in high raking light, the following are visible: tiny deposits of original retouching, and two one-1/2-inch hairline scratches at the center of the print. There is some minor soiling and a few small deposits of indeterminate nature on the mount and on the reverse. The inscription in ink on the reverse reads: 'Happy Birthday to my wonderful brother, Chris, / from his sister, Andrea / 4-12-76.' 'vmg 18519' is written in an unidentified hand in pencil on the reverse. 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. Our dating of this print is based upon the authors' assessment of the use dates of stamp 11 on the reverse of the mount: 1973 through 1977. The specific print date for the gelatin silver print was confirmed by Andrea Stillman, who worked closely with Adams during the 1970s.
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.