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Ansel Adams, ‘The Teton Range & The Snake River,’ $68,750

Ansel Adams images dominated PBA Galleries April 7 photography sale

Sheila Gibson Stoodley
Sheila Gibson Stoodley
Ansel Adams, ‘The Teton Range & The Snake River,’ $68,750
Ansel Adams, ‘The Teton Range & The Snake River,’ $68,750

BERKELEY, Calif. – PBA Galleries had an outstanding Photography and Fine Art sale on April 7. The auction consisted of 420 lots featuring the photography collection of Jack and Beverly Waltman. This collection did exceptionally well, with items reaching record highs and even exceeding the highest expectations.

Jack Waltman, an accomplished photographer in his own right, was also a patron to and a collector of many of the 20th century’s finest photographers. The collection included signed prints by Ansel Adams, Edward Weston (and family), Imogen Cunningham, George Tice, Judy Dater, Sebastiao Salgado and John Sexton. Several of these photographs are inscribed to Jack and Beverly, whose friendship and support were so vital to the artists represented — notably Sexton, Morley Baer and Brett Weston. The reception of these artists’ works by the bidders was enthusiastic; an example is Dunes, Oceano by Brett Weston that sold for $7,500, reaching the high estimate.

Brett Weston, ‘Dunes, Oceano,’ $7,500
Brett Weston, ‘Dunes, Oceano,’ $7,500

This offering from the Waltman collection of photographs featured some of the most famous images of the 20th century: Ansel Adams’ Moonrise, Hernandez New Mexico that went for $62,500, but also The Teton Range & The Snake River and Clearing Storm: Mt. Williamson (Manzanar). The latter two far exceeded the highest estimate, as they both sold for $68,750 apiece.

Inexhaustible and timeless, the landscapes of the American Southwest and California’s Central Coast drew the mid-century’s greatest photographers to capture archetypal images. As great art, they speak to universal themes but also come to us as glimpses of an era. The Waltman collection also included Edward Weston’s Church Door, Hornitos, his Point Lobos photographs and Charis, Santa Monica, among others. Other artists were popular with the bidders, such as Bill Brandt, whose Nude with Bent Elbow went for $6,250.

Bill Brandt, ‘Nude with Bent Elbow,’ $6,250
Bill Brandt, ‘Nude with Bent Elbow,’ $6,250

The second part of the Jack and Beverly Waltman collection will be offered on July 28.

PBA Galleries is currently accepting consignments for its next Fine Art and Photography auction until June 27. For more information regarding upcoming sales, consignments or auction results, please call 415-989-2665 or email pba@pbagalleries.com.

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