Ansel Adams

(San Francisco: Jean Chambers Moore, 1927, an edition of 150), the complete portfolio of 18 photographs, each signed in pencil and with the letterpress title in the margin, in individual letterpress title wrappers, 1920s, printed in 1927; together with the letterpress title, colophon, dedication to Albert M. Bender, and plate list. Small folio, gilt-lettered black cloth portfolio with gold silk lining, one of a projected edition of 150 of which approximately 75 sets were completed

John D. Crossman, circa 1974

The Weston Collective, Carmel, California, 2015

These luminous photographs exhibit all of the rich tonality and exceptional detail characteristic of well-preserved 'Parmelian' prints. The highlights remain bright and creamy, and the darkest areas are a lush inky black. The prints are in generally excellent condition. The plates are as follows: Sierra Junipers - As is sometimes true of the first plate in the portfolio, the highlights in the sky are warm and there is silvering in the darkest areas of the image. The extreme edge of the upper right margin corner is creased, which does not break the emulsion nor does it affect the image. The Abode of Snow Monolith, The Face of Half Dome From Glacier Point On the Heights A Grove of Tamarack Pine Mount Galen Clark - There is a very soft crease in the lower left margin corner. Mount Clarence King Roaring River Falls Marion Lake El Capitan Banner Peak, Thousand Island Lake Mount Brewer Kearsarge Pinnacles - The extreme lower left and right margin corners are creased, which does not appear to break the emulsion and does not affect the image in any way. The Sentinel Lower Paradise Valley East Vidette Cloud and Mountain The black cloth portfolio is in generally excellent condition. It remains a deep black color. There are some minor scuffs in a few places and at the extremities. The prints’ individual wrappers are generally very clean, although a few of the wrappers are faintly age-darkened and some show minor offsetting from the photographs. On the front of the wrapper for 'East Vidette' are two long diagonal creases. The wrapper for 'Cloud and Mountain' is significantly darkened along on the right edge, and there are several small irregular losses along, and adjacent to, that edge and corners. The title, colophon, dedication, and plate list are unevenly age-darkened due to contact with the portfolio's gold silk liner. 'U. S. A. / Fountain Oaks / Morgan Hill / California' is blindstamped in the upper right corner on the very front.
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.

This lot is accompanied by correspondence between Ansel Adams and John D. Crossman.  When Crossman purchased the portfolio, he noticed that one, 'A Grove of Tamarack Pine,' had not been signed, and thus wrote to Adams in 1974 to request that he sign it.  Adams was pleased to accommodate his request, and shortly thereafter Crossman went to the photographer's home to have the final print signed.

This lot is being sold to benefit The Weston Collective, an organization that awards scholarships to photography students in Monterey County practicing black and white film photography.