Photo Authentication Question

I recently acquired an Ansel Adams photo that I believe is authentic. Does anyone know of an expert in the Southern California area that I could bring it to for confirmation? I do not want to ship the photograph anywhere for obvious reasons.

Thanks in advance

Charlie

Is it signed? I'm sure there are many who can authenticate the signature at least with some confidence by seeing a good image of it.

Guy

Alan Ross has done most of his printing I believe so perhaps he would be the best source for info?

There was an article in the Times a while back about this guy who claims to have found a stash of unpublished AA photos in his attic but no one connected to AA would verify his claims saying he was just a crazy fanatic. The guy won't let it drop and has alienated a lot of people in the process incl his family.

Hi Guy,
No, it's not signed, but it's fairly old and my initial research shows that he did not sign prints from around 1958-1962. The quality is very good which is why I believe it is the real thing. It also came with a large framed poster from his showing at the National Art Gallery 1985-1986. Both are framed by the same gallery, but they are out of business. The photo in question is a 16 x 20 Moonrise Over Hernandez.

.....and thanks RIchard for the lead.

Wow. Even if he didn't print it himself, a good original print of Moonrise is quite a find.

Guy

In his later years Ansel had prints made by his assistant, Alan Ross, and sold them for discounted prices. You may have one of the prints by Alan Ross. Unfortunately, Moonrise was one of the negatives Ansel ran through a check cancelation machine which punched holes in the negative. Even if the print was made by Alan it will be worth quite a nice sum.

In 1974 I had an opportunity to buy a 16 x 20 of Moonrise in a gallery in Tempe, AZ. The asking price was $500.00. My first wife would not let me buy it. When she became an ex-wife in 1978 I bought "Clearing Winter Storm, Yosemite Valley" signed for $750.00. I figure the print will be a nice boost to my retirement plan.

Tom, good thing she didn't let you buy it. If your ex-wife was anything like my ex-wives, she'd likely have gotten it anyway in the divorce settlement. Sorry everyone, just couldn't resist that one.

Charlie, I hope things turn out great with your authentication journey.

Thanks for the marital insight guys. If I ever propose to a woman I guess it will go something like, "Will you marry me? I love you so much! Here is the pre-nup."

Fortunately I got this long after my ex wife was through with me too. Although, my new wife is thinking about a bigger house now. Thanks all for the insight and info.

Thanks for the laughs guys. I just read this aloud to my "new wife". Must admit though that the ex ws very reasonable.

Tonight I wrote a letter requesting assistance to Alan Ross. Thanks again for the lead, Richard. My wife is thinking bigger house, but I hear there's a new Nikon in town

No problem Charlie. Buy the Nikon after the divorce is settled.