mounted, signed in pencil on the mount, a San Francisco studio stamp (BMFA 4), titled in ink, on the reverse, 1938, printed no later than 1959; accompanied by a typed postcard, signed, on the photographer's Yosemite National Park, California stock (400 Photographs, p. 123; Yosemite and the Range of Light, cover; Classic Images, pl. 46)

Acqꦺuired from t🔯he photographer by Fifi Branner, 1959

By descent to the current owner

 

This early print on paper with a surface sheen is in generally very good condition. Visible in raking light and only upon close examination are the following: a ¼ -inch scratch in the central portion of the image and a ¼ -inch scratch in the lower left quadrant, neither breaks the emulsion. A few tiny deposits of original retouching, primarily in the sky, are also visible in raking light. There is very minor wear to the upper left corner and along the left edge of the print. The mount is appropriately age-darkened. There are tack holes in the mount corners, and the upper left corner of the mount is creased. There are adhesive and paper remnants on the front of the mount from a previous overmat. Additionally, there are pencil lines on the front of the mount that likely served as guides for positioning a previous overmat. On the reverse of the mount are adhesive and tape remains and abrasions to the top paper ply. None of these issues affects the print. This print does not appear to fluoresce when examined under ultraviolet light. Our dating of the print is based upon the photographer's dated studio postcard, which accompanied this print when it was purchased in 1959. 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. Haas's and Senf's assessment of the use dates of stamp 4 on the reverse of the mount are 1950 to 1962, and correlate with the date of the postcard from the photographer.
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 postcard is addressed to Miss Fifi Brann𒈔e🔴r of Sausalito, and reads as follows:

'August 17th, 1959

'Dear Miss Branner,

'Thank you for the check. Legally, I have to charge you 4% Sales Tax! I just returned from a trip, and planned to bill you. You beat me 🦂to it! I am so glad you like the print!

'cordially

'Ansel Adams

'The print is a little larger than the𝄹 standard, but you get the professional rate.

'$35.000 regular- $25.00 prof!'

The photograph offered here was purchased from the photographer by Fifi Branner of Sausalito in 1959. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Branner worked for the National Park Service as an arc🐷hitect and park planner from 1953 until 1963.