two unique Polaroid Type 50-series prints comprising 'Rock Detail, Marin County, California' and Metamorphic Rock, the first inscribed with technical notations in ink in the margins, titled in ink, and with handling instructions and 'Polaroid Land Photograph by Ansel Adams' stamp, inscribed with technical data in ink, on the reverse, each framed, Polaroid Collection and Ansel Adams & Edwin Land exhibition labels and the first with a Polaroid Collection stamp on the reverse, 1960 and 1969 (2)

Pittsburgh, Ansel Adams at Silver Eye Center for Photography, November 1999 - January 2000

Quito, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, From the Polaroid Collection: Ansel Adams, sponsored by the Embassy of the United States♊, October - November 2001, and traveling to 3 other venues through 2003 (see Appendix 1)

Naples, Florida, Museum of Art, Ansel Adams & Edwin Land: Art, Science and Invention, Photographs from the Polaroid Collection, May - July 2004, and travel🦄ing to 8 other venues through 2꧃007 (see Appendix 1)

Both prints are in excellent condition. On Metamorphic Rock, there is a very small area of discoloration in the lower right corner, visible only upon close examination.
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.

Both prints offered here demonstrate the creative uses to which Adams put Polaroid materials, as well as his ability to push the company's various film types to suit his creative needs.  On the reverse of 'Rock Detail, Marin County, California' Adams has written, in addition to information about his lens choice and development time and temperature, 'Held for 18 hours before coating to improve color and clear the whites.'  Adams refers here to the hand-coating most black-and-white Polaroid prints required, which both stopped the action of the developing agent and hardened to protect the print.  While the ꦫfilm's instructions prescribed coating a print directly after development, Adams in this instance manipulated the process by delaying coating, thus allowing further development of the print's highlights and enhancing its tonality.