2 photographs, comprising 'The Santa Fe' and 'White Sands, N. Mexico,' each mounted, initialed and dated in pencil on the mount, signed, titled, and numbered in pencil on the reverse, framed, 1941 (Conger 1547) (2)

Gift of the photographer to a friend

By descent to the present owner

The Santa Fe - This striking, detailed print, on glossy paper, is in generally very good condition. A fine patina of silvering at the periphery of the image is visible when the print is viewed in raking light. Upon very close examination, the following are also visible in raking light: a few scattered deposits of original retouching; a tiny raised area, likely a particle trapped beneath the print during mounting, near the upper edge; and a few small small surface scratches that do not appear to break the emulsion. This photograph is mounted to thin, off-white card. There are large paper adhesions in the margins from a previous overmat; this does not affect the image or the photographer's initials and dating. On the reverse of the mount, the negative number 'LA41-SF-1' is inscribed by Weston. The reverse of the mount is lightly soiled from handling, faintly age-darkened at the edges, and shows minimal foxing. At the time of this writing, it is believed that only one other print of this image has been offered at auction, in these rooms in April 1998 and 2012. In addition to the print of this image in the Center for Creative Photography, Tucson, Conger locates prints in the following institutional collections: Harrison Memorial Library, Carmel; Art Institute of Chicago; Huntington Library, San Marino; The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City; The Oakland Museum; San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; and Special Collections, University of California, Santa Cruz, this last a Project Print. White Sands, N. Mexico - This print, on semi-glossy paper, has yellowed somewhat at the periphery. This has resulted in loss of detail at the edges of the image. The photograph is in otherwise very good condition. A 1/4-inch scratch that does not break the emulsion is visible to the left of the rightmost plant. The print is mounted to thin, off-white card, which is appropriately age-darkened at the edges and lightly soiled on both sides. On the reverse of the mount, the negative number 'NM41-WS-3' is inscribed by Weston.
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.