“We are thrilled with the outstanding results of the auction and deeply gratified to see Ansel Adams' legacy honored in such a profound way. This collection represents the very essence of Adams' vision – his reverence for the natural world, his technical mastery, and his unwavering commitment to photography as an art form. To witness these works receive the recognition they so richly deserve, through the extraordinary enthusiasm of collectors from around the world, has been a humbling and deeply fulfilling experience. We are proud to have played a role in preserving and sharing Adams’ enduring contributions to art and photography.”
“It has been an extraordinary privilege to bring the Meredith Collection to auction, and we are absolutely gratified by the exceptional results achieved. To see the collection sell 100% and achieve 41 records is a testament to both the remarkable quality of these photographs and the timeless allure of Ansel Adams’ work. This kind of result is a rare achievement in the photographs market and speaks to Adams’ enduring influence as one of the most revered figures in the history of photography. The passion and enthusiasm shown by collectors around the world reaffirm his standing, and we are honored to have played a role in this landmark moment for Adams’ legacy.”
NEW YORK, 18 October 2024 – Sotheby’s is pleased to announce extraordinary results for Ansel Adams: A Legacy | Photographs from the Meredith Collection, held Wednesday in a live auction in New York. The sale achieved a 100% sell-through rate, generating a total of $4,567,680—far exceeding the pre-sale estimate between $1,775,000 to $2,801,000. Amid intense bidding, the auction set an unprecedented 41 new records, accounting for nearly half of the total lots, further cementing Sotheby’s position as the global leader for Ansel Adams works.
The collection’s success was marked by:
–41 outright records for individual photographs, securing the highest price ever achieved for these iconic images
–15 additional records broken for 1970s prints in Adams’ standard size formats, demonstrating the continued demand for Adams’ varied works across his career
–77% lots sold above their pre-sale high estimates
–Strong international participation from bidders in 17 countries
This landmark auction featured a comprehensive selection of Ansel Adams’ most significant images, from his sweeping views of Yosemite Valley to his abstract studies of the Pacific Coast. Among the highlights were:
–Aspens, Northern New Mexico (Vertical) achieved a remarkable $720,000, more than double its high estimate, setting a record for the highest price ever attained for this image.
–The highly-coveted Surf Sequence, achieved $576,000, far exceeding its $300,000 high estimate, and setting a record for the series of five images. The selling price for this incredibly rare full set of five photographs shattered Sotheby’s existing record from 2006.
–Rose and Driftwood, San Francisco, California, which achieved $132,000, more than double its high estimate, setting a record for the highest price ever achieved for this image and breaking Sotheby’s own record for a print of this image from 2007.
–The Snake River & the Tetons, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming achieved nearly triple its high estimate, soaring to $96,000 and setting a record for the image at more than six times Sotheby’s existing record from 2010.
This acclaimed collection was comprised of photographs selected by Ansel Adams himself and later gifted to The Friends of Photography, the non-profit organization he co-founded to elevate photography as a fine art medium. These photographs represent the most comprehensive cross-section of Adams' work, showcasing his mastery of light, contrast, and natural beauty. Since assuming ownership of the collection in 2002, Austin residents Lynn and Tom Meredith have been faithful guardians for these photographs and champions of Adams’ legacy.
Learn more about the collection here.
A full list of auction records can be found here.
Notes to Editors
Sotheby’s remains the longstanding market leader for Ansel Adams, having sold more works by the artist than any other auction house by both value and volume. The firm has now set numerous records for his work, including the world record in 2020 with the sale of The Grand Tetons and the Snake River, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, which achieved $988,000.
Copyright
The photographs have been copyrighted by the Trustees of the Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust, and the Trustees reserve all publishing right and copyrights as well as all rights to use the name, likeness, and persona of Ansel Adams for commercial purposes and that, other than for public display of the photographs themselves, the photographs may not be reproduced for any purpose or utilized in violation of such copyrights, nor may the name, likeness, or persona of Ansel Adams be utilized for any commercial or other purpose, without the expressed written consent of the Trustees of the Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust.
