An Ansel Adams Complete Museum Set will be auctioned during Doyle’s sale of Photographs on Thursday, December 14 in New York. Spanning Adams’ entire career, the Set of seventy-five images includes all of the artist’s best-known work. The exquisite prints are of scrupulous quality, prepared under Adams’ direct supervision, and all are signed by the legendary photographer. Acquired by a private collector from Adams in 1981, the Set was donated to The College of New Rochelle in 2012 and is being auctioned on their behalf.

This is among the most comprehensive Museum Sets known to exist, as such Sets more typically consist of between twenty-five and fifty images. It will be offered as a series of seventy individual lots with estimates ranging from $3,000-5,000 to $30,000-$50,000. The majestic five image Surf Sequence will be offered as a single lot at $40,000-60,000.

The upcoming auction marks the first time an Ansel Adams Museum Set is being offered with the permission of The Ansel Adams Gallery and the artist’s grandson, Matthew Adams. Legal restrictions generally prevent sales of Museum Sets.

As Matthew Adams notes in his statement of November 28, 2017: “It is clear that the prints in this specific set are no longer subject to the legal restrictions that Ansel made.” He continues, “…the terms of the agreement with Ansel have been met and it is for the College of New Rochelle to determine its disposition.” This is therefore likely to be a unique opportunity to purchase prints from a Museum Set.

Ansel Adams (1902-1984) was the preeminent 20th century photographer of the American landscape. Born in San Francisco, he had deep affection for Yosemite, whose rugged beauty inspired many of his most iconic photographs.

In addition to the Museum Set, Doyle’s Photographs auction offers examples ranging from a group of 19th century daguerreotypes to classic 20th century images and works by contemporary photographers.

The public is invited to the exhibition on view December 9 through 12. Doyle is located at 175 East 87th Street in Manhattan. View the catalogue and bid online at Doyle.com