Ansel Adams

2 photographs, 'In Glacier National Park' and 'Grand Canyon National Park,' each mounted, signed in pencil on the mount, the first signed, titled, and annotated in ink on the reverse, circa 1941 (2)

Gift of the photographer to Julius A. Martinek of the National Park Service

By descent to the present owners

'In Glacier National Park' - This early print, on paper with a slight surface sheen and affixed to a slick, pale gray mount, is in generally good condition. There is rubbing at the top and bottom edges and creasing in the lower left corner that likely occurred prior to mounting. In raking light, the following are visible: tiny deposits of original retouching; light scuffing and a very faint vertical scratch in the central portion. The mount is rubbed at the edges, has bumped corners, and creasing in the lower right corner. There is some loss of the mount's top paper ply at the top and right edges. There is light soiling and faint rust-color deposits of indeterminate nature at the right and left edges. The photographer has annotated the print 'US-1-NPS-148' in ink on the reverse of the mount. 'Grand Canyon National Park - This early, slightly warm-toned print, on paper with a semi-glossy surface and affixed to a slick, light gray mount, is in generally fair to good condition. It is rubbed at the edges, and has small chipping at the left, upper, and right edges. In raking light, the following are visible: silvering in the dark areas and at the periphery, tiny deposits of original retouching; and faint scratches. There are small, slight color shifts visible in the upper central clouds and in the upper right quadrant. The mount, which has been annotated 'US-3-N.P.S.-12' in an unidentified hand in blue ink on the reverse, has rubbed edges and bumped corners. There is light soiling on the front and back, small, random foxing and 4 very small sections of loss of the top paper ply at the right edge on the front. There is a small loss at the lower right corner and light rust-color deposits of indeterminate nature at the right and left edges of the mount.
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.

The Ansel Adams photographs in this lot come from the collection of Julius A. Martinek (1922 – 2007), who became acquainted with the photographer during Martinek's tenure with America's National Park Service.

The Traverse City, Michigan, native began his career in 1949 as a ranger at Mount Rainier and Sequoia National Parks, following his service as a Naval fighter pilot during World War II and subsequent graduation in forestry from Michigan State University.  His administrative career with the Park Service included a stint as Assistant Superintendent at Yellowstone National Park and as a planner for the Park Service in Washington, D. C., where he also served as Director of the National Capitol Parks.

While serving at the National Park Service's headquarters in Washington, Martinek was an advisor and goodwill ambassador for the planning and administration of other nations' parks and game preserves. In 1967 he headed the National Park Service team sent to Tanzania to assist in planning Mount Kilimanjaro National Park.  In 1971, he was selected to be the first superintendent of his home state's Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

It is likely that Martinek encountered Adams in the course of his efforts to promote the National Parks, a cause that was dear to Adams as well.