13th Dec, 2023 10:30 GMT/BST

Books, Maps & Manuscripts

 
  Lot 60
 

60

Vittorio Sella [1859-1943].
Alpine Ranges, six large format silver print photographs of the Monte Rosa massif and others, comprising:
358 - Monte Rosa - Lyskamm - Castore e Pollure - dalla cresta del Welsshorn (Agosto 1887).
Manuscript description to lower margin, blind-stamped ‘Vittorio Sella, Biella’ lower right, landscape;
1790 [bis]- Monte Rosa dal Passo di M. Moro (Macugnaga)
Printed description to lower margin, landscape;
1796 - Monte Rosa dal declivio boscoso sopra Macugnaga, alla sera. Agosto 1895.
Skillfully tinted, printed title on slip to lower margin, portrait;
1572- Vincent Pyramide - Parrotspitz e ghiarriajo della Pisse dalla cima del Fallenhorn (Alagna) Settembre 1892.
Matt finish, blind-stamped ‘Vittorio Sella, Biella’ to lower right, manuscript title to lower margin, landscape;
107- Mischabel - Alphubel - Allalinhorn - Rimpfischhorn- & Valle di Zermatt dalla vetta del Cervino 4482 (29 Luglis 1882)
Matt finish, blind-stamped ‘Vittorio Sella, Biella’ to lower right, manuscript title to lower margin, landscape;
150 - Dente del Gigante versante Occidentale (Monte Bianco).
The Giant’s Tooth in the Mont Blanc massif, skillfully tinted, printed title on slip to lower margin, landscape.
Silver prints on bromide double weight paper, sheet size 300mm x 397mm, unglazed glossy unless stated, believed to be printed later than the dates given.
[provenance, the photographs were purchased in 1945 by the vendor’s father, a British Army Captain, while stationed in the town of Biella].
C Douglas Milner described Vittorio Bella as ‘the greatest of all photographers of [his] generation’ (A Century of Mountain Photography, Alpine Club Journal, Nov 1957). For a detailed description of his life and work, see Ronald Clark’s monograph ‘The Splendid Hills, The Life and Photographs of Vittorio Sella, 1859-1943’, Phoenix House, 1948. (6)

Sold for £1,300
Estimated at £200 - £300


 

Slight crease? to 1790bis, Small spot touched in on 358. Several spots touched in on 107 (preprinting). Some minor scuffs and small indentation (c.4mm) to 150). A little dust marking on reverse of some prints, edges a little curled, otherwise no obvious defects.

Auction: Books, Maps & Manuscripts, 13th Dec, 2023


The Books, Maps and Manuscripts sales encompass a broad range of collecting areas from early antiquarian books to modern first editions, which are sold alongside illustrations, private press, manuscripts, maps and atlases, early photographs, autographed letters and historic documents. Held four times a year, the specialist Book sales incorporate both private collections and libraries, and single lots from vendors across the United Kingdom.

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Tuesday 12 December 10am-5pm and morning of sale from 8am

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