Ansel Adams

2 photographs, comprising 'Oak Trees and Fence in Rain, Sonoma County, California' and 'Hills and Rain, Sonoma County, California,'  the first from a Polaroid Type 55 negative, each signed in ink on the mount, with Carmel studio stamps (BMFA 7 and 8), titled in ink, and the second with 'Photographic Service Group Technical Control Center Research Division, Polaroid' and 'Property of Polaroid Return to Polaroid Print Library' stamps on the reverse, 1951, probably printed between 1963 and 1970 (400 Photographs, pp. 330-31 and Classic Images, pl. 67-8, both reproductions of Oak Trees variants; Portfolio IV, pl. 7) (2)

'Oak Trees' -- This print, on paper with a surface sheen and mounted to Hi-Art illustration board, is in generally very good to excellent condition. There is a tiny nick at the upper edge. In raking light, there is a faint linear impression that does not break the emulsion in the upper central portion of the print. The mount is age-darkened on the front and back. There is a small loss of paper ply at the left edge of the mount, as well as a small droplet stain at the lower edge. 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 stamps 7 and 8 on the reverse of the print's mount is 1963 to 1970. 'Hills and Rain' -- This photograph is in generally good to very good condition. Visible throughout the print are small deposits of original retouching that have turned a greenish hue. Visible along the left edge of the print are 2 ¼-inch horizontal impressions that do not break the emulsion. Also visible in the upper left portion of the sky are two eraser-head-sized faint surface scratches that appear to break the emulsion slightly. On the reverse of the mount, the 'Photographic Services Group' stamp is numbered 128 in an unidentified hand in black marker. On the mount, the ½-inch area directly surrounding the print has darkened and the edges of the mount appear to have lightened. The mat is hinged to the upper mount edge with paper tape. 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 stamps 7 and 8 on the reverse of the print's mount is 1963 to 1970.
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.