https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com Tue, 14 Apr 2026 17:19:41 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.1 https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2024/07/the-parents-of-ansel-adams-tintype-photo-c-1894-unique-ralph-selby-s-f/ https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2024/07/the-parents-of-ansel-adams-tintype-photo-c-1894-unique-ralph-selby-s-f/#comments Sat, 20 Jul 2024 16:01:22 +0000 https://sanfranciscosanfrancisco.com/2024/07/the-parents-of-ansel-adams-tintype-photo-c-1894-unique-ralph-selby-s-f/







[SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ANSEL ADAMS, 20TH CENTURY PHOTOGRAPHY]. THE EARLIEST KNOWN PHOTOGRAPH OF THE PARENTS OF ANSEL ADAMS. This simply composed 1/9th tintype features three individuals. Two men and a woman. The man seated at left is Ralph Selby. The man standing wearing a hat is Charles Hitchcock Adams. The woman seated at right is Olive Bray. Of course, as those familiar with the biography of Ansel Adams may know, Charles and Olive would marry in 1896 and by 1902 give birth to their only son, Ansel who would go on to become the world’s most famous photographer. However, this image includes Ralph Selby which is what makes this image quite interesting. Ralph Selby who was born in Switzerland in 1862 had settled in Menlo Park by 1880. His Father Thomas Selby was Mayor of San Francisco between 1869 – 1871 after building a successful smelting company. Ralph married Olive Adams (Charles’ sister) in 1885. Selby was never the same. He became increasingly downtrodden and despondent. We believe sometime between 1891 and 1894 the three people in this photo took this picture on some notable occasion. We do know that in 1891, Charles left for an overseas trip with his mother and Ralph Selby had a party for him in San Francisco. The’ Cosmos Club’ where the party was held is only blocks from where Allen & Hay’s photography studio would have been. Sadly, in February 1895 Ralph Selby mired in the throes of another bout of depression, wrote his brother a note, bought a revolver and walked out to the rocks along the San Francisco shore and killed himself. Based on the date of the death of Ralph Selby, we can date this image roughly between 1891 – 1895 which is somewhat earlier than Anne Adams Helms (Ansel Adams’s daughter who was consulted re: details and attributions) thought Charles and Olive had met. Their letters to each other seem to begin about 1895 and continue up until their marriage in July 1896. We have included photo exemplars of all three individuals from Anne Adams Helms family genealogy’ The Descendants of William James Adams and Cassandra Hills Adams’ (Salinas; 1999). We’re confident had Anne had access to these this and other images we have (and had) they would have most certainly appeared in her fine work. This photo was published in Mary Street Alinder’s most recent edition of Ansel Adams’ biography’ Ansel Adams: A Biography’ (Bloomsbury 2014). It appears on page 130. A rare and unique artifact of the true beginning for one of the giants in the history of the captured image.

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Great visual document made in San Francisco Cal. Captioned:Dario De Palma-Mercedes-Grand-Prix-Race. Extremely Rare Vintage Captioned Photograph. The following is an internet excerpt that relates to the race. The 1915 was the first race of 1915 grand prize and was held February 27, 1915, at the PPIE, sometimes mistakenly referred to as the San Francisco World’s Fair. Unlike the previous American Grand Prize races that saw few entrants, 39 cars entered the 1915 race, 35 appeared, and 30 took the start. Rain began mid-race and 11 cars pulled off course and withdrew Dario Resta won the race by over six minutes over Howdy Wilcox His average speed was 56.13 mph (90.33 km/h), slowed by the rain. PIXIDIOM ARCHIVE SELECT (Description above). “NUMBER OF ITEMS”:1 NOTE THIS IS A TEMPLATE GIVING AN IDEA OF WHAT IT ALL MEANS / I MAY USE THIS TEMPLATE FOR ONE ITEM OR A HUNDRED ITEMS OR MORE EVEN… IF MORE THAN ONE ITEM IT WILL BE REVEALED BELOW THIS LINE IN BLUE.. (ONE), original black & white photographs. ANOTHER NOTE: You should look at all my auctions to >> See Them, and make a good selection. Note: REAL PHOTOS HAVE SILVER SUSPENDED INTO THE GELATIN (silver gelatin) Or other light sensitive MATERIALS USED IN THE LIGHT SENSITIVE PAPER’S MANUFACTURE. Theme or Category \ Definition (A). Vernacular snapshot (s), which means an old photograph from it’s period of manufacture. Made mostly by, the non professional photographer. The kind of picture that once was in the private family album… Basically other peoples pictures. Photographs are super inspirational, for the writer who wants to tell a story. Inspiration, comes naturally when time is spent looking at these pictures. ANY CREATIVE USE IS FINE. Some people like to put the photos into doll houses, as miniature props. Some people like them to be instant relatives. Framing them for the wall is ideal when you love or collect them for your own reason. Traditional old photos that nobody knows about can now, become the “New” visual pigment, for application with creativity, and imagination.. “THEY” these photos can be in many categories or themes such as. Will be explained at the top (The first words you read). “OBSERVATION” / “MY DESCRIPTION” / OR “INTERNET EXCERPT”. The first words you read at the top of this template will be my observation and internet excerpt if possible. The possible categories are. Black & White tone old photos (not copies). CHILDREN, sometimes single sometimes together, playing or candid. BOYS, sometimes together or singular. GIRLS together or by themselves. PETS, everyone loves them. BABIES, Infants, or pictures celebrating new births. IMAGES, pictures in the arms of loved ones probably friends or family. INTERIOR VIEWS, In rooms. PEOPLE, or children, they get around, so they might even be up in a tree or on a branch or where ever… Its always a surprise. FUN, locations in front of the camera. PARTY EXPERIENCE MEMORIES, everyone is always documenting the event. POSSESSIONS, or objects that people covet for any reason. STILL LIFE, art history has always inspired this kind of subject. THINGS, those objects that in combination with the impulse to photograph it shows up in many pictures. CAMERA, Mistakes and processing errors such as double exposures create accidental masterpieces. CAMERA, malfunctions and throw away pictures that were not discarded. HOUSES, houses, showing the locations of where we live some may even be identified on the backs. PERSONS, out on the porch always a summer activity. TREES, Nature and horticulture a great topic for study and identification. YARDS, that place where one is private and doing anything imaginable. BARN, activity under the rafters or compositions near the machinery such as farm implements. NEIGHBORHOOD, that area that people were comfortable in taking pictures of neighbors or sidewalks. GARDENS, the growth of flowers and arrangement of personal landscape. FLOWERS, and gatherings for vase and gift. OBJECTS, n the yard or laying around I call that an innocent still life… Of people together, great combinations of faces and characters. FACIAL, expressions, fun activity of humans, you will see spontaneous distortions for the camera many times. BAD, compositions that are now good. MEN, in twos or threes or more, some express so much love that it shows in the picture. WOMEN, sexy or homely, old or young they are all worth looking at with a magnification glass. NEW, mothers, old Grand mothers, new Fathers and Grand Fathers. TEENS, doing their thing during that period or moment in time. ASIAN, people or cities and architecture. NEAR MONUMENTS, those simple trips somewhere are always fun. RELATIONSHIP, infinite compositions of friendliness. TRAVEL, VACATIONS, PICNIC, AUTOMOBILE, MEETING WITH RELATIVES, FRIENDS. LANDSCAPE, & seascape wonderful way to notice the world. SNOW, every winter from the point of view of the snowman’s eyes. BEACH, ocean, sand, bathers, swimsuits, frolic, picnic. MOUNTAIN, views, hikers, rocks, backgrounds colossal experiences. VALLEY, fruit trees, open space. RIVER, fishing and landscapes near the waterfall or campsite. LAKE, boats of all sorts floating on still water. POND, reflections and contemplations. STREAM, and assortment of activity in cool water. BODY, of water some with waves some still and shareply. EARTH, nature has a lot to expose and people are fascinated by it an immediately point the camera isolating a portion of its greatness. NATURE, related to our planet and pictures prove it. SEASON, magically transforms everything in sight. SPRING TIME, summers, autumns, winters. SPORTS, every thing is possible relating to this theme. DRESSED, in warm clothes proving the season. SWIMSUITS, shows how sexy people have always been. CITYSCAPE, views bird eye points of view or from the vantage point pointing somewhere. PLAY GAMES, children doing it, adults doing it such as blind folded games or tugs of war. PRIVATE, fotos, photos that were meaning to always be personal but now are anonymous. RISQUE, happens in photos many times during the war period or even naturally just by accident when one shows their legs or reveals something sexy. HIKERS, camping near tents or pathways. CANOE, boats floating transportation. Navy, Army, Air force. GET-aways, vacations, family, cars. FLORA, those gifts in a container that represent love, or in the landscapes near by. CAPTIONED, on front and or on backs. NAMES INFORMATION, similar to captions but better if you love genealogy. DATING DATES, written numbers representing when… The perfect way to learn about the history of different photo processes. GENEALOGY, those who study lineage or family trees. AGE, the people young or old. FUN HUMOR, times documented visually between friends. EUROPE, similar things happen everywhere in the world, people are people. CHINA, similar to the Asian theme China is exotic in images. WORLD TRAVEL, insight to places that only a percentage of people get to try. ARCHITECTURE, could be temples or private homes, buildings. URBAN, areas street scenes. PERSONAL, visual documents immediate family. The: private personality of other peoples lives in pictures. ACTIVITY, shows how times were back in the day. VARIOUS, period photographic processes. A, mix of other peoples family pictures. BIG LOTS, take advantage when they are available. FISHING, and people with fish. HUNTING, and possibly with weapons or guns and shotgun. OTHER, peoples pictures from broken albums. MANY, other kinds of subjects. EVEN, rare nude vintage photos. Note:ASIDE FROM SINGLE PHOTOGRAPHS> I have a massive collection of pictures right now so get them fast before they all go. Check out my 50-100+ lots I will be making random lots of 50+, 100+, 200+, 300+, 400+, 500+ or more in each lot. Pay attention if you need quantity or contact me and tell me what you want. When Big Lots are offered they are As Is GRAB BAG STYLE. IF YOU WANT “SELECTED PHOTOS” SEE MY OTHER AUCTIONS FOR “ONE OF A KIND” SPECIFIC CHOICE OFFERS. “SIZE” / “MEASUREMENT IN INCHES”. “SIZE”= VARIOUS SIZES OR AS DESCRIBED WHEN YOU FIRST READ THE DESCRIPTION AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS TEMPLATE. IF YOU NEED A REFERENCE TO WHAT YOU WON PLEASE MAKE A VISUAL NOTE WITH YOUR PRINTER BEFORE YOU WIN IN CASE IT CLOSES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. !!!!!!! …………….. “YEAR” / “DATE” / “CIRCA”:(LOOK IN THE DESCRIPTION AREA). “TYPE OF IMAGE” OR “LISTING” (LOOK IN THE DESCRIPTION AREA). “MY TITLE” OR “TITLED ON PRINT” (LOOK AT DESCRIPTION AREA ABOVE). ” Photographers name: “: ANONYMOUS AND UNKNOWN, (LOOK AT DESCRIPTION AREA ABOVE). “CITY”, “STATE” OR “COUNTRY”. USA / AMERICAN, POSSIBLY SOME EUROPEAN OR MIDDLE EAST OR ASIA. ” CAMERA WORK” OR “PRINT NOTES”. (A) Drug store developed, usually with a rubber stamped number on reverse. (B) Processed by a “finisher”. (C) Processed at the photographer’s studio by hand with. Tank and tray agitation / chemistry / paper / film method. “NOTES” , “STAMPS” , “INFORMATION” , OR “PROVENANCE”. INFORMATION=SEE DESCRIPTIVE SECTION ABOVE. “MESSAGE FROM PIXIDIOM + SNAPSHOTMANIA”. Please contact me in regards to “what is available in my collection”. So that I can list the kind of subjects that you are interested in… “SNAPSHOTMANIA”, is our partner in images! SNAPSHOTMANIA will be purchasing all unsold “PIXIDIOM” items and. Re-listing them at fixed prices, sometimes lower or higher. So, if there is something that you missed. It could be there! CHECK IT OUT FOR HOT DEALS AND BARGAINS. AT MY OTHER AUCTIONS OFTEN. My vintage Photographica items are ALWAYS ORIGINAL. The photographs are much sharper in hand. Than the scanned images appear on the computer screen. I have many photographic images in my collection. “Special Low Price – Take it Away”. Or, ” On the Spot Offerings”. In the following outline are some of the categories and definitions. Of what I like to list consistently. (1) My collection includes important historical photographs for museum collections. And for private collectors. (2) Regional photos will be offered from time to time. Including your home town, local history, etc. (3) Images of unusual or particular interest. Many times I will pull out a group of similar categories from my archive. And list a series, or a theme motif. Often I will list “General” typical album photos for the “Artist”. Or for experimental use and scientific study. These will be at very inexpensive starting prices! (4) Photographica related objects. Will be listed occasionally. Which means items that are not photos, but relate to “Photography” or “Studio”. Such as objects, books, cameras, darkroom materials, letters, etc. (5) Beautiful visual compositions in a vintage photographs. These compositions are my love, and have become my specialty. I always say, “The composition is a pleasure for the eye”. (6) Photography by ” Known ” artists. “Known”, signifies: Signed or stamped by the photographer. With their name, identification, or attribution. (7) SPECIAL ITEMS: I also list “things” for friends. That are non-photographically related. IMPORTANT NOTICE: Even though photography is my expertise. In between whiles, I do list. Different or unusual items that are not photography related. Please bookmark my site, I usually list. New items sometimes everyday! ARE RESERVED FOR THE PURCHASER, IN SOME CASES. IN THE CASE OF CONTEMPORARY ARTIST WORKS, WRITTEN CONTRACTUAL. BY THE ARTIST, FOR A ONE TIME USE, WHICH IS POSSIBLE, OR OTHER RIGHTS. USUALLY THE RIGHTS TO CONTEMPORARY ARTIST’S WORK, REMAINS WITH THE ARTIST. RIGHTS CAN BE DESIGNATED BY THE ARTIST IN WRITING. COPYRIGHTS, AND INSTRUCTIONS, CAN BE ISSUED, FROM THE ARTIST. VINTAGE ANTIQUE PHOTOGRAPHS, AND THEIR RIGHTS. Payments: MUST BE MADE….. Or provide me with your resale number. If you have any questions on an item for your collection. Please contact me and ask for more details. The note above applies only to vintage photographica. From time to time. I will list other items. Not related to photography. Those items may be mine or on consignment. (on other types of items). Or items, not relating to Photography! If you’re not sure about what you see! It will be no problem to answer you. No matter what you may ask. I CAN USUALLY DO IT. IF SO I CAN INQUIRE FOR YOU. (THERE Have BEEN NO PROBLEMS YET).

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Frank Tannery Redwood City. The artwork was hung away from natural light and has fresh bright colors that one wants to see with. Any work on paper, especially watercolors. Signed and dated lower right corner. Measurements: 22 3/8 x 15 1/2 matted apprx. Settling in Redwood City, CA in 1920’s. He taught art at Sequoia High School for 35 years and in 1963 founded the Sequoia Art Group. He painted through out San Francisco and Bay Area. A similar subject was painted by Ralph Ledesma in 1960 and is in collection of The San Mateo County Historical Association. Thank you for Looking and Supporting our Small business. The item “Ralph Ledesma 1946 Early California Watercolor San Francisco Industrial Signed” is in sale since Wednesday, March 24, 2021. This item is in the category “Art\Paintings”. The seller is “leokrivfineart” and is located in San Francisco, California. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, China, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, South africa, Thailand, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Bahamas, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Saudi arabia, United arab emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Croatia, Malaysia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa rica, Panama, Trinidad and tobago, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Barbados, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brunei darussalam, Bolivia, Ecuador, Egypt, French guiana, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Cayman islands, Liechtenstein, Sri lanka, Luxembourg, Monaco, Macao, Martinique, Maldives, Nicaragua, Oman, Peru, Pakistan, Paraguay, Reunion, Viet nam, Uruguay.

• Size: Medium (up to 36in.)
• Region of Origin: US
• Artist: Ralph Ledesma
• Style: Realism
• Listed By: Dealer or Reseller
• Painting Surface: Paper
• Quantity Type: Single-Piece Work
• Medium: Watercolor
• Date of Creation: 1900-1949
• Features: Signed
• Color: Multi-Color
• Subject: Cityscapes
• Originality: Original

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