Each original Ansel Adams photograph, as it comes into our inventory, is assessed for condition as a part of establishing the price. The result of this assessment is to classify the print’s condition as “pristine”, “studio quality”, “excellent,” “very good,” “good,” “fair,” or “poor.”

There is no standard scale or definition. Our scale is weighted to the positive for reason – once you get below “good”, the finer differences don’t matter.

Pristine Absolutely no damage to the print surface

Studio Quality Only minor flaws or imperfections that would have occurred in the Artist’s studio and print was deemed acceptable to offer by the Artist

Excellent Minor flaws or damage to print surface, visible ONLY under close inspection in specular or raking light

Very Good Minor flaws or damage to print surface, visible upon inspection under standard gallery lighting conditions

Good Flaws or damage that draws the eye under normal viewing conditions once known or seen

Fair Flaws or damage immediately apparent under normal viewing conditions

Poor Shipping with broken glass, folded, oil rags...