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THBYosemite, George Fiske Photograph Album, 1880s
About Seller
6270 Este Ave.
Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States
With offices in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Denver, Cowan’s holds over 40 auctions each year, with annual sales exceeding $16M. We reach buyers around the globe, and take pride in our reputation for integrity, customer service and great results. A full-service house, Cowan’s Auctions specializes in Am...Read more
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About Auction
LiveJun 13, 2014 - Jun 14, 2014
Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com
View Full Catalog (603)
- Lot Description
George Fiske. A Yosemite Album. 1880s. 71 albumen prints: 53 albums prints, 4.5 x 7.25 in. by Fiske, signed and numbered in the negative; 12 additional prints, 4.5 x 7.25 in., signed and captioned in the negative by Wheeler, possibly Olin D. Wheeler; 6 albumen prints, 8 x 10 in. Most in excellent condition, sharp with strong tones. Contemporary three-quarter calf with gilt title Yosemite and decorative gilt borders, 11 x 15 in.
George Fiske trained as a banker before working with the great photographers Robert Vance, Charles Leander Weed, and Carleton E. Watkins. He respected Watkins to such a degree that he named his first son Carleton W. Fiske. In 1879, Fiske and his wife moved to Yosemite where Fiske spent the rest of his life photographing and studying the region, alongside Galen Clark, the first guardian of Yosemite when the national park was created. Included in this album are photographs of Galen Clark standing on Overhanging Rock, Glacier Point.
This album contains sharp photographs of spectacular Yosemite views. Noteworthy are Fiske's images reflecting seasonal changes in the region, particularly a photograph of a snow-covered pine and photographs of ice formations surrounding waterfalls. Because he lived in the park, Fiske was the first to photograph views of the valley in the winter, creating dramatic prints that were widely sought. This album also includes a photograph of Fiske's donkey. During the summer months, an attractive black horse pulled Fiske's buggy, but in the cold winter months a donkey carted his gear.
Ansel Adams was powerfully influenced by Fiske's work. In 1916, after seeing photographs by Fiske, Adams convinced his parents to take him to Yosemite. Many of Fiske's negatives were destroyed in a house fire. In 1920, two years after Fiske's death, Adams printed from many of Fiske's surviving large format negatives and campaigned for their proper conservation. But Adams was ignored. The plates stored in the attic of Yosemite Park Company sawmill were destroyed in another fire in 1943. "If that hadn't happened," said Adams, "Fiske could have been revealed today, I firmly believe, as a top photographer, a top interpretive photographer...I do get excited at Fiske." (Hickman & Pitts, 1980.)Most in excellent condition, sharp with strong tones. Album pages slightly warped. Album covers and spine worn at edges and corners, with covers separated at the spine.Condition
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SHIPPING. At the request of the buyer, Cowan's will authorize the shipment of purchased items. Shipments usually occur within two weeks after payment has been received. Shipment is generally made via UPS Ground service. Unless buyer gives special instructions, the shipping method shall be at the sole discretion of Cowan's Auctions, Inc.. Cowan's is in no way responsible for the acts or omissions of independent handlers, packers or shippers of purchased items or for any loss, damage or delay from the packing or shipping of any property.
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