Ansel Adams (1902-1984)

A PAIR OF ILLUMINATING, SIGNED LETTERS FROM ANSEL ADAMS TO FRENCH PHOTOGRAPHER, CURATOR, AND PUBLISHER DANIEL MASCLET, 1957-1959. Two typed letters, 4to, each on Adam's headed paper [address 131 24th Avenue, San Francisco], each signed by Adams in ink, detailing the exchange of prints over the course of two years. The first, dated January 24, 1957, begins with Adams' comic apology for his delay in writing, as he does not speak French ["I am a barbarian!!], and addresses a request for unmounted prints, followed by an enquiry of the prints in Masclet's possession. He then goes on to describe his immense pleasure at Masclet's critique of his work at PHOTOKINA, writing "It is the best critical comment I have ever had of this type. The distinction you make between the work of Edward Weston and mine is absolutely sound!" He continues to discuss his perceptions of 'outside' vs. 'inside', and colour photography, writing, "I also prefer to leave color [underlined] to the painters. I am a renegade, a 'throwback' in relation to color photography. I can't stand it!! Nothing is as beautiful as a remarkable fine black-and-white print!!" This is followed details of mutual friend Edward Weston's health, and a desire to meet in person. A small loss of paper in the bottom left corner of the sheet cuts off the first letter in Adams' postscript: "[C]alifornia is COLD this morning: -- I can't type accurately!!!!"

The second letter, dated July 14, 1959, also begins again with an apology for his delay in corresponding. This is followed by a request to a clarification of prints requested by Masclet, and a promise to deliver them as soon as possible. He ends this shorter letter by enquiring after the tonal ranges Masclet has requested, writing "And I shall make the prints darker and harder as you suggest - I thought those I sent were actually TOO deep in tone. Do you mean they want prints of HIGHER CONTRAST? Yours contritely, but still enthused!"

Offered together with an announcement of Ansel Adams' Portfolio Two, along with an order form and short image selection brochure [1950], an invitation to Ansel Adams' Photographic Workshops at Yosemite, and an announcement of Edward Weston's publication of the 50th Anniversary Portfolio [1952].

Provenance
From the collection of French photographer, curator, and publisher Daniel Masclet (1892-1969), thence by descent.