1. VITTORIO SELLA. Grand Combin, from the summit of Mont de la Gouille, c. 1879-1892, Sella number AIV 1526. 11.4x15.4" collodion print, printed c. 1893, mounted on 16 3/4x12 1/4" heavy brown board. Inscribed in ink on mount recto: Alps 1526. Grand Combin, / from Mont de la Gouille / I; Inscribed in pencil: Cut (arrow drawn) / 1526 / Cut (arrow drawn); Stamped in ink on mount verso: Depose / Tous Droits Reserves / V. Stella - Biella; inscribed in pencil: 1692-1/ Loan 45; Print recto embossed with artist's credit stamp in bottom right corner.

2. VITTORIO SELLA. Mont Velan, c. 1879-1892, Sella number AIV 1525. 11.3x15.3" collodion print, printed c. 1893, mounted on 16 3/4x12 1/4" heavy brown board. Inscribed in ink on mount recto: 1525. Mont Velan; inscribed in blue pencil: A IV; Inscribed in pencil: 1525; Stamped in ink on mount verso: Depose / Tous Droits Reserves / V. Stella - Biella; Print recto embossed with artist's credit stamp in bottom right corner.

The Grand Combin is in the western Pennine Alps. At a height of 4,314 metres (14,154 ft) the summit of Combin de Grafeneire is one of the highest peaks in the Alps. and the second most prominent of the Pennine Alps. The Grand Combin is a large, glaciated massif consisting of several summits, among which three are above 4000 metres (Combin de Grafeneire 4,314 m (14,154 ft), Combin de Valsorey 4,183 m (13,724 ft), Combin de la Tsessette 4,134 m (13,563 ft)). The highest part of the massif is wholly in Switzerland, although the border with Italy lies a few kilometres south.

Mont Velan is a in the Pennine Alps on the Swiss Italian border. At 3,727, metres Mont Velan is the highest summit lying between the Great St Bernard pass and Grand Combin. Two large glaciers cover its northern flanks: Glacier de Tseudet (west) and Glacier de Valsoray (east). The Glacier de Proz, lying on the west side, was traversed during the first ascent.

Sella became famous among climbing fraternities as far away as London for his 1882 winter crossing of the Matterhorn when he ascended on one side and descended another. The speed of his campaigns was astonishing. In 1887 between July 29 and August 11 he climbed the Weisshorn twice, the Mettelhorn, Mittelgabelhorn, Alphubel, Rimpfischhorn, Dent Blanche, and the Dufourspitze of Monte Rosa. In 1889 and 1890 he made the first of two self-financed excursions to the Caucasus (AMC Bulletin Vol. VII, 1893-1895).

Just as Ansel Adams grew up in Yosemite, Vittorio Sella was raised as a mountain climber and photographer in the Italian Alps.

The prints in this lot like hundreds of others were in many exhibitions and the prints suffered damage. Thus, these exhibition prints are being offered here at bargain prices.

1. 1526 Good: Mild abrasions, scratches, wear, spots, corner wear and edge wear. Mount has edge and corner wear, missing corners and pieces, dirt and marks and is fragile.

2. 1525 Good: Mild abrasions, scratches, wear, spots, corner wear and edge wear. Mount has edge and corner wear, missing corners and pieces, dirt and marks and is fragile.