Portfolios of Ansel Adams
Description
Ansel Adams
1902-1984
1) Parmelian Prints of the High Sierras
18 parmelian prints
1921-27 | Printed 1927
Parmelian prints signed by Adams in pencil and with letterpress title in the margin.
A projected edition of 110, of which approximately 75 are believed to have been completed.
Provenance: Purchased through Weston Gallery 2009: Adams to Weston Gallery, Carmel; private collector, New York City, 1985.
2) The Sierra Club Outing Portfolio, 1929
25 parmelian prints
1929 | Printed 1929
Edition 21/25
Gelatin silver parmelian prints on Dassonville Charcoal Black paper.
Provenance: Purchased through Andrew Smith Gallery, 2011.
3) Yosemite Valley, California
15 images
1920’s | Printed 1930
Each signed "Ansel Easton Adams" and numbered sequentially by the photographer in pencil in the margin.
10 of a projected 50
Provenance: Adams to his wife Virginia Best Adams; Anne Adams Helms (Virginia Adams' daughter); purchased through Anne Adams Helms.
4) The Sierra Club Outing Portfolio, 1930
23 parmelian prints
1930 | Printed 1930
Edition 3/8
Signed by the photographer in pencil on the reverse; together with the letterpress title/colophon, numbered '3' by the photographer in ink.
Gelatin silver parmelian prints on Dassonville Charcoal Black paper.
Provenance: Sotheby's New York, 1 November 1989, Sale 5921, Lot 326 Hans P. Kraus Jr. Fine Photographs, New York, 2006, Andrew Smith Gallery, Santa Fe, as agent purchased through Sotheby's at A Grand Vision: The David H. Arrington Collection of Ansel Adams Masterworks (Lot 47).
5) Portfolio I
12 gelatin silver prints
1938-48 | Printed 1948
Edition 35/75
Each signed by Adams and numbered sequentially in an unidentified hand in pencil on the mount, each with the portfolio stamp, numbered sequentially and "35" in an unidentified hand in red ink on the back.
Images: Mount McKinley, Saguaro Cactus, Rapids Below Vernal Fall, Mormon Temple, Vine and Rock, Refugio Beach, The White Church, Roots, Oak Tree Snowstorm, Trailside near Juneau, Alfred Stieglitz, Clouds above Golden Canyon
Provenance: Purchased from Adams by Mrs. John I. Walker of San Francisco, c. 1948-49; to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Stokes Page; to her daughter Margo Elizabeth Page; Weston Gallery, Carmel 1984; private collectors [Leonard and Margorie Vernon, Los Angeles]; by descent to their daughter Carol Vernon, Los Angeles, 2007; Weston Gallery, 2011; purchased through the Weston Gallery 2011.
6) Portfolio II
15 gelatin silver prints
1942-49 | Printed 1950
Number 32 from an edition of 100 numbered copies and 5 presentation copies for a total edition of 105.
Each signed and numbered sequentially by Adams in pencil on the mount, the portfolio stamp, numbered sequentially and "32" in an unidentified hand in red pencil, on the reverse.
Images: Noon Clouds, Forest Early Morning, Dunes, White House Ruin, From Hurricane Hill, Moth and Stump, Sentinel Rock, Afternoon Sun, In Joshua Tree Nat'l Monument, Rain Beartrack Cove, Dead Tree, Zabriskie Point, Old Faithful Geyser, The Atlantic, Dawn
Provenance: Acquired from Adams by the photographer Richard L. Rundle of San Francisco,1950; by descent to Rundle's two sons; inherited by one of these sons, Douglas Rundle, upon the death of his brother; Douglas Rundle to Weston Gallery, Carmel; purchased through the Weston Gallery.
7) Portfolio III
16 gelatin silver prints
1926-59 | Printed 1960
Numbered 92 from an edition of 200 numbered copies and 8 hors commence copies for a total edition of 208.
Each signed and numbered sequentially by Adams in ink on the mount, the portfolio stamp, numbered sequentially and "___" in an unidentified hand in red ink, on the reverse.
Images: Yosemite Valley, 1960 (16 images: Monolith, Merced River, Lower Yosemite Fall, Trees and Snow, Branches in Snow, El Capitan, Tenaya Creek, Water and Foam, Winter Storm, Dogwood Blossoms, Grass and Pool, Nevada Fall Rainbow, Rushing Water, Bridalveil Fall, Trees and Cliffs, Half Dome Thunder Cloud
Provenance: Acquired at Christie’s New York, October 8, 2009, Sale 2206, Lot 723.
8) Portfolio IV
15 gelatin silver prints
1920-63 | Printed 1963
Numbered 8 from an edition of 250 numbered copies and 10 hors commence copies for a total edition of 260.
Each signed by Adams in ink on the mount, the portfolio label, numbered "___" in an unidentified hand in red ink on the reverse.
Images: What Majestic Word, 1963 (15 images: Teklanika River, Sequoia Roots, Leaf, Dunes Oceano, Cathedral Peak and Lake, Vernal Fall, Clearing Storm Sonoma, Oak Tree, Castle Rock, Northern California Coast Redwoods, Orchard Early Sprint, Siesta Lake, Storm Surf, Tuolumne Meadows, Sierra Nevada Winter Evening + 2 Portraits - Portrait of Russell Varian and Portrait of Sigurd Varian
Provenance: Adams to Russell Harrison Varian; by descent to Varian family members; Varian family to Christie's New York; purchased through Christie's New York, 18 October 2007, Sale 1893 Rock, Lot 333.
9) Portfolio V
10 gelatin silver prints
1936-60 | Printed 1970
Number 59 from an edition of 100 numbered copies and 10 lettered copies for a total edition of 110.
Each signed by Adams and numbered sequentially in an unidentified hand in pencil on the mount, the portfolio stamp on the reverse.
Images: Pinnacles, Mudhills, Lone Pine Peak, Moon and Clouds, Forest and Stream, Petroglyphs, The Black Sun, Woman Behind Screen Door, White Stump, Pipes and Gauges
Provenance: Purchased from Adams by collectors Richard and Patricia Shirk of Detroit; inherited by Patricia Shirk upon the death of her husband; Patricia Shirk of Salinas, California, to Weston Gallery, Carmel; purchased through Weston Gallery.
10) Portfolio VI
10 gelatin silver prints
1932-53 | Printed 1974
Number 60 from an edition of 100 numbered copies for a total edition of 110.
Each signed by Adams and numbered sequentially and "60/110" in an unidentified hand in pencil on the mount, the portfolio stamp on the reverse.
Images: Edward Weston, Antelope House Ruin, Maroon Bells, Silverton Colorado, Graduation Dress, Still Life SF, White Post and Spandrel, Alders Prairie Creek, Fresh Snow, Gottardo Piazzoni
Provenance: Purchased from Adams by collectors Richard and Patricia Shirk of Detroit; inherited by Patricia Shirk upon the death of her husband; Patricia Shirk of Salinas, California, to Weston Gallery, Carmel; purchased through Weston Gallery.
11) Portfolio VII
12 gelatin silver prints
1932-76 | Printed 1976
Number 58 from an edition of 100 numbered copies and 15 lettered copies for a total edition of 115.
Each signed by Adams and numbered sequentially and "58/115" in an unidentified hand in pencil on the mount, the portfolio stamp on the back.
Images: White Branches, Arches, Boards and Thistles, Tree Stump and Mist, Gerry Sharpe, Aspens, Interior of Tumacacori Mission, Cemetery Statue, Half Dome Blowing Snow, El Capitan Sunrise, Sunrise Mount Tom, Original Polaroid
Provenance: Purchased from Adams by collectors Richard and Patricia Shirk of Detroit; inherited by Patricia Shirk upon the death of her husband; Patricia Shirk of Salinas, California, to Weston Gallery, Carmel; purchased through Weston Gallery.