Lot Essay
Please note that this lot may be tax exempt.
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PROPERTY FROM SEMPERVIRENS FUND, SOLD TO BENEFIT REDWOOD FOREST PRESERVATION
Ansel Adams created Portfolio Four: What Majestic Word to raise funds for Russell Varian's long-time dream of preserving what is now California's Castle Rock State Park.
Russell Varian, a Stanford engineer and inventor, and his wife Dorothy Varian, co-founder of Conservation Associates, were active conservationists who hiked California's Santa Cruz Mountains extensively. Russell's dream came true when Sempervirens Fund's (formerly Conservation Associates) charter was renewed in 1968. The organization immediately embarked on a major campaign to permanently preserve the majestic redwood land that became Castle Rock State Park.
This portfolio of fifteen of Ansel Adams' finest images, was donated to Sempervirens Fund by Varian Associates to raise funds for acquisition and preservation of redwood lands in California's Santa Cruz Mountains.
'Every photo in this Portfolio is related in some direct or indirect way to the places, things and moods Russell Varian loved. In some the essences of light and space dominate; in others the substance of rock and wood, and the luminous insistence of growing things.'
(Ansel Adams, October 1, 1963)
Proceeds of the sale of Portfolio Four will go directly to Sempervirens Fund, a non-profit land conservancy, for redwood land preservation.
Originally founded in 1900 as the Sempervirens Club, Sempervirens Fund is California's oldest land conservancy and the first organization to preserve land for protection of the coast redwood tree, sequoia sempervirens.
Since renewing the Club's charter in 1968, Sempervirens Fund has purchased and permanently protected threatened lands in California's unique Santa Cruz Mountains--Most of this protected land has been transferred by Sempervirens to California's state parks (Big Basin Redwoods, Castle Rock, Butano and Portola), other local parks and open space districts.
More than 23,500 acres currently worth over $230 million have been saved by Sempervirens Fund and its donors. Far beyond dollar value, these protected lands provide visitors with recreation and inspiration, preserve the habitat of a myriad of animals and plants, and safeguard clean air and drinking water.
ANSEL ADAMS (1902-1984)
Portfolio Four: What Majestic Word, In Memory of Russell Varian
Details
ANSEL ADAMS (1902-1984)
Portfolio Four: What Majestic Word, In Memory of Russell Varian
San Francisco: Sierra Club, 1963. 15 gelatin silver prints; each signed in ink (on the mount); each numbered '239' in red ink on the portfolio label affixed (on the reverse of the mount); each 9 x 11½in. (22.8 x 29.2cm.); each with individual paper wrapper with printed plate number and short texts by Russell and John Osborne Varian; text inserts, numbered '239' in red ink (on the colophon). Contained in a four-fold case with linen covers and cloth ties
Portfolio Four: What Majestic Word, In Memory of Russell Varian
San Francisco: Sierra Club, 1963. 15 gelatin silver prints; each signed in ink (on the mount); each numbered '239' in red ink on the portfolio label affixed (on the reverse of the mount); each 9 x 11½in. (22.8 x 29.2cm.); each with individual paper wrapper with printed plate number and short texts by Russell and John Osborne Varian; text inserts, numbered '239' in red ink (on the colophon). Contained in a four-fold case with linen covers and cloth ties
Provenance
From the artist;
to Russell and Dorothy Varian (Varian Associates)
to Sempervirens Fund
to Russell and Dorothy Varian (Varian Associates)
to Sempervirens Fund