Ansel Adams

mounted on Crescent illustration board, signed in ink on the mount, annotated 'in preparation' in ink and with Carmel studio stamps (BMFA 5 and 6) on the reverse, 1962 (400 Photographs, p. 391)

Gift of the photographer to Elsa Lightner, an assistant to Adams, 1961-63

By descent to the present owner

This print, mounted to buff-colored Crescent illustration board and executed in preparation for Portfolio IV, is in generally excellent condition. In raking light, 3 tiny soft indentations that do not break the emulsion are visible along the right edge of the image. The lower left corner of the print is gently bumped. There is light foxing along the right edge of the mount and various pin-point-sized brown deposits of indeterminate substance in the lower left corner. On the reverse is a stray ink smudge. 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 authors' assessment of the use dates of stamp 5 and 6 is between 1962 and 1963.
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.

Elsa Lightner served as a secretary and photographic assistant to Ansel Adams from 1961-63.  Upon completion of her apprenticeship, Adams gave Lightner the print offered here.