Date: Fri 23-Apr-1999

Publication: Ant

Author: LIZAM

Quick Words:

Universe

Full Text:

Auction Universe Features Ansel Adams

By Rita Easton

NEW YORK CITY -- An Auction Universe online sale of 14 Ansel Adams photographs

began February 20 and ended March 8. The event celebrated the first-ever

combined gallery opening, that of the new Edward Carter Gallery, with an

online auction of the works of the master photographer.

Estimated market value of the collection was $125,000, while the actual gross

generated by Adams photos at the event was $40,720 from the sale of four

images.

"Moonrise," an image from an eight by ten inch negative taken in 1941, a

modern gelatin silver print made by the artist circa 1976, went to a private

bidder at $24,500, which was the reserve. The approximately 15 by 19¬ inch

work was signed by the artist on the lower right recto of the mount, with

artist's "carmel 93921" stamp on the verso of the mount, mounted on and matted

to an acid-free board. It is considered Adams's most famous image.

"White House Ruin, Morning, Canyon de Chelly," taken at the National Monument

in Arizona, fetched $5,600, which was $200 above reserve. The negative was

taken in 1949, with the 1950 vintage gelatin silver contact print from

Portfolio II signed in pencil recto and mounted and matted with archival

museum board.

"Ubehebe Crater," a circa 1950 negative, fetched $5,400, the reserve figure,

for the vintage gelatin silver contact print, also made in 1950 by the artist.

The image, taken near Ubehebe Crater in Death Valley at the National Monument,

measured 7« by 9« inches and was signed by the artist on the lower right recto

of the mount. It was numbered "28" in red ink.

A fourth image, "Vine and Rock," garnered $4,000.

The auction was covered by BidSafe, a service developed by Auction Universe to

increase online security by providing a money back guarantee for every trade

between BidSafe members -- both buyers and sellers -- and virtually eliminate

the possibility of fraud in transactions. BidSafe members have the security of

an intermediary in each transaction and primary insurance coverage in case of

loss or breakage in the mail.

The Edward Carter Gallery at 560 Broadway (at Prince Street) features the

world's largest available inventory of Ansel Adams' photographs.

Several other photographers were represented in the Carter auction, most

notably New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani, who is an avid photography

enthusiast. His image, "Arterial Surgery," depicted a canyon-like view up

Fifth Avenue at 20th Street, with the street in the foreground excavated to

expose a large water main and workers feverishly repairing a break. The 16 by

20 inch gelatin silver print, framed and signed 1998, was initially offered

for a modest sum, but reached $1,020, going to a Brazilian lawyer. The

proceeds will be matched by Edward G. L. Carter, and will benefit City as

School.

City as School (CAS) is a public alternative high school founded in 1972.

Students earn a high school diploma by completing internships available at

more than 1,000 businesses and public agencies. Three credits are awarded

based on the time and work that the student does in the internships.

More than 1,200 students are enrolled at three CAS sites and in the Executive

High School Internship Program, a special six-month internship for high school

seniors. Four students select one or more internships combined with a weekly

seminar and a choice of in-house and/or college classes for a unique 27-32

hour or longer weekly program.

Students are supported by resource coordinators (each is assigned 40 students)

in the field and by in-house advisors who monitor and coach students as they

complete their learning experience assignments and fulfill their high school

requirements.