Brett Weston

mounted, signed, dated, and inscribed 'To Aunt Mazie' by the photographer in pencil on the mount, matted, 1939

The photographer to his aunt, Mary Weston Seaman

By descent to her daughter, Jeannette Seaman

By descent to her nephew, John W. Longstreth

Another print of this image:

Samuel Chamberlain, ed., Fair Is Our Land (New York, 1942), p. 232 (titled there 'Pacific Sands')

This early print, on paper with a slight sheen, and mounted to thin light gray card, is in generally excellent condition. There is very slight, barely noticeable edge-fading at the upper and left edges near the corner and two tiny nicks at the lower left edge. When examined in raking light, age-appropriate silvering is visible in the dark areas at the periphery of the print. The mount is slightly age-darkened, particularly at the periphery, and there is small scuffing on the reverse that does not affect the print. Notations 'L84.2003.9,' '41.2342.1,' 'EWP84,' and 'B. Weston' are written in various unidentified hands on the reverse at the lower edge.
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.

By 1939, Brett Weston was already a well-known photographer, with several important exhibitions and a commercial studio partnership with his father behind him.  During the 1930s, he continued to refine his vision, photographing San Francisco and its environs, and the beaches and coastline of California.  The variety of coastal scenery produced hundreds of new photographs, from abstracted studies of plant details to longer landscape views.  This image of the Pacific shore captures the seemingly endless northern coastline, contrasting the white foaming sea with the dark snaking forms of kelp.  Kelp and Shoreline was included in Samuel Chamberlain's 1942 volume, Fair is Our Land, an anthology of views and writings devoted to the mountains, coasts, parks, and towns of the United States.