VITTORIO SELLA. Aiguille de la Za, from its base, c. 1879-1892, Sella number AIV 272. 22.2x16.2" collodion print, printed c. 1893, flush mounted on thin board, mounted on 18x23 7/8" grey board. Inscribed in ink on mount recto: Alps 272 Aiguille de la Za AIV.; inscribed in ink on mount verso: Alps/ Aiguille de la Za; Inscribed in pencil: 272/AIV; Print recto embossed with artist's credit stamp in bottom right corner.

Aiguille de la Za/Tsa in the Pennine Swiss Alps at 12,034 ft. it has a prominence of 823 ft.

In Sella's era photography was the primary tool of Eurasian and American science, exploration, and ethnography studies. Much of the earth had been mapped and explored, and by 1890 the few remaining frontiers were the most remote, inaccessible environments and habitations of the world's highest mountains and the North and South Poles. Patrons for exploration excursions included governments, private railroads, mining and land development magnates and companies, and royalty. Photography made on these expeditions was used for promotion, education, and for the scientific content it offered.

Good: Mild abrasions, scratches, wear, spots, corner wear and edge wear. Mount has edge and corner wear, dirt.