In the past few years, the world has witnessed an unprecedented appreciation for fine photographs, accompanied by an unprecedented appreciation of fine photographs--the collecting of fine art photographs has taken off!

While the trend has been emerging over the past two decades, in the late 90's, photographs became the art to collect, and prices have climbed dramatically.

For example, in 1948, Ansel Adams charged $50 for a 16x20-inch, signed, original of Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico, 1941, one of his most famous images. In February 1999, The Edward Carter Galleries sold an original Moonrise for $24,500. Then in the spring auctions in New York in 1999, a late 50's print of Moonrise was sold for $36,000. Last year, The Edward Carter Galleries sold yet another example for $49,000! Even so, fine art photographs are still a relative bargain and there is a huge market for it.

Some specifics:

In October 1999, Christie's had 424 photographs up for auction. The room was packed-standing room only-and the bidding furious. The scene was the same at Sotheby's-424 photographs for sale. The highest bid was for a 1928 print entitled "Ford Works" by Charles Sheeler. The purchase price was $550,000 plus the 15% buyers commission.

That week, The Edward Carter Galleries (ECG) bought $360,000 of photographs at these auctions, almost all by Ansel Adams. Then, within one week, clients of ECG acquired every one--the market is immense, diversified, and growing fast.

The following are annual auction sales of photographs at Christie's, New York:

• 1991: $ 2,526,790
• 1992: $ 2,950,970
• 1993: $ 4,263,638
• 1994: $ 5,288,275
• 1995: $ 5,540,138
• 1996: $ 6,461,737
• 1997: $ 7,188,113
• 1998: $11,011,921
• 1999: $10,723,475

And, more recently...

AUCTION RECORDS ESTABLISHED FOR ANSEL ADAMS

New York, NY – April 17, 2002 – Today Sotheby’s in New York held one of its most successful various-owners photographs sales in recent years with a total of $2,936,225. An auction record was established for Ansel Adams.

The morning session opened with 39 lots of photographs and portfolios by Ansel Adams, a photographer who, if alive, would be 100 years old this year. A world-record price for the photographer at auction was set when an early, large-format print of his signature image, Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico, 1941, sold for $136,000!

A group of 26 lots of small, Adams photographs, including many images rarely reproduced, generated enthusiastic and lengthy bidding from collectors in the room and on the telephone, achieving a stunning total of $417,353. Of note were prices realized for the classic Monolith, the Face of Half-Dome, which at $38,240, has virtually doubled in one year. Branches in Snow, on the wall at The Edward Carter Gallery last October for $9,000, went for $19,120. Oak Tree in Snow that sold at The Edward Carter Gallery in February 1999 for $8,000, went for $31,070!

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"The Edward Carter Gallery maintains a large inventory of rare and unusual, Ansel Adams signed originals. In these days of uncertain markets, appreciating photography can be very rewarding."    Dr. Edward Carter

copyright © 2003 EDWARD CARTER GALLERIES PTE LTD