Ansel Adams

2 photographs, comprising 'Alfred Stieglitz at his desk at An American Place, New York City' and 'Alfred Stieglitz and painting by Georgia O'Keeffe, at An American Place, New York City,' each mounted, signed, dated, and inscribed in pencil on the mount, a Carmel studio stamp, with title, and one with date, in ink, on the reverse, 1939 and 1944, the first printed circa 1940, the second printed in 1981 (400 Photographs, p. 249) (2)

'Alfred Stieglitz at his desk': This early, pleasingly warm-toned print is in generally excellent condition. When examined in raking light, the following are visible: very subtle silvering in the dark areas at the periphery of the print; a 1/2-inch crease in the upper left quadrant; and 2 pinpoint-sized impressions in the lower right quadrant, neither of which appears to break the emulsion. The inscription in pencil on the mount reads 'For Andrea and Stanley 11-28-81.' 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 stamp on the reverse of the mount is number 11 from this list, which Haas and Senf conclude Adams used between 1973 and 1977. It is likely, however, that the present photograph was printed circa 1940, then mounted, signed, and stamped later. When examined under ultraviolet light, this print does not appear to fluoresce. 'Alfred Stieglitz and painting by Georgia O'Keeffe': This print is in generally excellent condition. The inscription in pencil on the mount reads 'For Andrea and Stanley 11-28-81.' Although 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 Carmel studio stamp on the reverse of the present mount is not included. The stamp, similar to BMFA 11, but with the zip code '93923,' is dated with both the negative and printing dates (in this case, 1944 and 1981, respectively) in an unidentified hand in ink.
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.
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