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Lot 209: Ray Atkeson, Making Tracks (Skiiers), c. 1950

Est: $400 USD - $500 USDSold:
Keith Delellis Gallery LLCNew York, NY, USDecember 17, 2020

Item Overview

Description

Ray Atkeson, Making Tracks (Skiiers), c. 1950, Vintage gelatin silver print, 14" x 11". Artist's credit stamped on verso. Typed caption affixed to verso. "Tom Maloney" sticker on verso. Numbered in pencil on verso. Crop notations on verso.


With a masterful eye for light and composition, Ray Atkeson spent more than 60 years documenting Oregon and the Pacific Northwest in stunning photographic images, and now his vast photo legacy is part of the UO Libraries' Special Collections and University Archives.

Rick Schafer, the photographer’s stepson, recently donated the Ray Atkeson Photography Collection to the university. It totals more than a quarter of a million images capturing the region's people and landscapes over several decades.

"Ray Atkeson’s artistry and deep sense of connection with nature and landscapes speak for themselves," said Danielle Mericle, curator of visual materials with the library. "This archive will be a valued addition to our special collections and a boon for future researchers of photography, Northwest history and beyond."

The New York Times once crowned Atkeson "the dean of Northwest nature photography," and he served as the state’s photographer laureate from 1987-90.

"Ray Atkeson has brought the state of Oregon national and international acclaim," said Gov. Bob Straub, honoring Atkeson as a Distinguished Citizen of Oregon in 1977. "His passion for Oregon’s unmatched natural splendor has made him a goodwill ambassador."

The Ray Atkeson Photography Collection consists primarily of large-format, black-and-white negatives and large- and medium-format color transparencies, more than 250,000 images in total. Schafer, who was also the photographer's protege, maintained the archive for nearly three decades following Atkeson’s passing.

"From my perspective, this is not simply about a photography collection or boxes of film," Schafer said. "This is the archive of a great artist and recognized cultural ambassador for Oregon. But more importantly, Ray Atkeson created a body of work that spans seven decades of history in Oregon and the Western United States."

Born and raised on a farm near Grafton, Illinois, Atkeson began experimenting with a Brownie box camera at the age of 15. His first publication occurred just one year later, when his impressionistic shot "Union Station at Night with Snow" won an award from the Kansas City Star.

As a young man, Atkeson set out for points west, working as an itinerant laborer and using the time in between jobs to explore the Colorado Front Range and Bryce Canyon in Utah.

"My stepfather worked in wheat fields of the Midwest and a box factory in Mount Shasta," Schafer said. "His first job when he came to Oregon was on a farm in Hood River picking apples. Ray had his roots in hard, manual labor, and that was always reflected in his approach to photography."

In 1928 Atkeson landed a temporary job with the Photo Art Studio in Portland. His employer, Claude Palmer, was a self-taught perfectionist who probably saw something of himself in the hard-working and curious young man. The boss was free with his advice; Atkeson came to regard Palmer as a role model and mentor, and he would remain in the “temporary” position for the next 18 years. Another key influence on his life and work arrived in the form of Mira Crane, a fellow outdoor enthusiast whom Atkeson married in 1929. Their daughter Eleanor was born in 1935.

In addition to his commercial work at Palmer’s studio, Atkeson kept busy evenings and weekends pursuing his own creative vision. A founding member of the Columbia Hikers Club, he sought inspiration in the majestic landscapes of Oregon and neighboring states. A literal trailblazer of nature photography, Atkeson became adept at driving his Ford Model T along rugged mountain backroads and packing his bulky, large-format camera equipment into remote wilderness areas.

He was equally fascinated by the people of Oregon and how they interacted with their environments; other subjects captured by his 4x5 Speed Graphic during this period include a 1930s series on coastal fishing vessels and another documenting women workers in World War II-era Portland shipyards.

In 1930, Atkeson met and photographed Hjalmer Hvam, a future U.S. ski champion and Olympics coach. Already a burgeoning local celebrity just three years after arriving in Portland from his native Norway, Hvam introduced Atkeson to other world-class skiers, and the foundations were laid for some of his most enduring work. Ascending the winter slopes of the intermountain West in the days before the chairlift was invented, Atkeson became a pioneering snow sports photographer, “the finest ski photographer ever” in the estimation of Alan Engen, chairman emeritus of the Alf Engen Ski Museum at Utah Olympic Park.

In 1946 Atkeson left Photo Arts Studio to concentrate on a full-time freelance career. In the decades that followed, his advertising clients would include Ford, Chrysler, General Motors, United Airlines and Eastman Kodak. Atkeson’s work was extensively published in newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune, the Seattle Times and the Houston Chronicle, and in magazines including National Geographic, Life, Sports Illustrated, Reader's Digest and the Saturday Evening Post.

Beginning with "Ski and Snow" in 1960, Atkeson’s photography was compiled in more than a dozen large-format books, including "Northwest Heritage: The Cascade Range" in 1969, "Oregon Coast" in 1972, "Beautiful Oregon" in 1974 and "Portrait of Oregon" in 1980. The works were instrumental in helping establish the commercial viability and artistic integrity of modern coffee table books, a publishing genre that was then in its infancy. Altogether they would sell more than a million copies worldwide.

Although he was achieving his greatest fame in this era, Atkeson also endured a number of personal setbacks in the 1970s. Family illness forced his semiretirement for a period of three years, and his beloved wife Mira passed away in 1976. Atkeson’s eyesight was deteriorating — a terrifying prospect for a photographic artist — and he travelled to Austria to consult with vision specialists. The doctors were at least able to stabilize the decline, allowing Atkeson to resume his life’s work.

He also remarried in 1977. With his wife Doris Schafer and three young stepchildren — Rick, Lauralee and Susan — Atkeson entered a new phase of family life that helped to rejuvenate him. With their encouragement and assistance he continued to travel and shoot photos throughout his final decades, amassing honors including a Portland Advertising Federation Award, Governor Tom McCall Award, Oregon Governor’s Art Award and an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts degree conferred by Linfield College.

Atkeson succumbed to cancer May 25, 1990, at 83. On the day of his funeral, state flags were lowered to half mast. The 66th Legislative Assembly formally honored him “for his exquisite photographs of Oregon and the West, landscapes and seascapes preserving for posterity the pristine treasure of nature not yet sullied by the indifferent touch of civilization.”

In the words of his wife Doris: “His greatest joy was sharing the beauty of these places with people who couldn’t go there.”
(Jason Stone, University of Oregon)

Dimensions

14" x 11"

Artist or Maker

Medium

Gelatin silver print

Date

1950

Condition Report

Good condition. Wear to corners and edges visible in photos.

Payment & Shipping

Payment

Accepted forms of payment: American Express, MasterCard, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

In House Shipping: The Gallery has in house shipping available. Buyers are responsible for all taxes, customs fees and VAT that may apply to their purchase and shipment.

Auction Details

VINTAGE PHOTOGRAPHY: PICTORIALIST & MODERNIST

by
Keith Delellis Gallery LLC
December 17, 2020, 02:00 PM EST

41 E 57th St. 703, New York, NY, 10022, US

Terms

Live bidding may start higher or lower

Buyer's Premium

$0 - 499:25.0%
$500 - 999:25.0%
$1,000+:25.0%

Bidding Increments

From:To:Increment:
$0$199$20
$200$499$50
$500$999$100
$1,000$4,999$250
$5,000$9,999$500
$10,000$19,999$1,000
$20,000$49,999$2,500
$50,000$99,999$5,000
$100,000$249,999$10,000
$250,000+$25,000

Terms & Conditions

1. Bidders Bound by These Terms and Conditions of Sale set forth here are the complete and only terms and conditions on which all property is offered for sale. By registering and/or bidding on Invaluable or by written absentee or telephone bid, or by any other means, the buyer agrees to be bound by these Conditions of Sale.

2. Sole Remedy for buyer in event of a dispute or any other issue. The buyer's sole remedy under these Terms and Conditions of Sale shall be the rescission of the sale and refund of the original purchase price paid for the item, and this remedy shall be exclusive and in lieu of any other remedy which might otherwise be available to the buyer as a matter of law.

3. Right to Withdraw Lots, Errors and Omissions. Gallery reserves the right to withdraw any property at any time before the auction and shall have no liability whatsoever for such withdrawal. Offerings in this catalog are subject to errors or omissions in descriptions.

4. Hammer Price. The hammer price is the price at which a lot is sold or hammered down by the Auctioneer. On the fall of the auctioneer's hammer, title to the offered lot or article will pass to the highest acknowledged bidder, who thereupon immediately assumes full risk and responsibility, and will within 72 hours pay the full Purchase Price therefor.

5. Purchase Price. The purchase price paid by the winning bidder is the aggregate of (a) the hammer price, (b) a Buyers Premium of 20% plus any applicable tax, shipping, handling and processing including applicable New York state tax in the amount of 8.875% of the entire purchase price. New York state and local taxes will be collected except where sold to a purchaser outside of New York and shipped to the purchaser or the purchaser has a valid New York resale license and provides such documentation to Keith de Lellis Gallery. A 3% processing fee will be added to any invoice that is being paid via Credit Card or Live Auctioneer credit card payments.

6. Dispute Between Bidders. If any dispute arises between two or more bidders, the Auctioneer may decide the sale or may immediately put the lot up for sale again, and resell to the highest bidder. The decision of the Auctioneer shall be final and absolute. The Auctioneer reserves the right to reject any and all bids. Invaluable bids are executed with and against outside competing telephone and absentee bids. In the case of ties, the auctioneer has sole and final discretion to determine the successful bidder. In the event of any dispute between bidders or in the event the auctioneer doubts the validity of any bid, the auctioneer shall have sole and final discretion either to determine the successful bidder or to re-offer and resell the article in dispute. If any dispute arises after the sale, our sales records shall be conclusive in every respect.

7. Withdraw Lots. Gallery reserves the absolute right (a) to withdraw any property at any time before its actual final sale, including during the bidding, and (b) to refuse any bid from any bidder. The auctioneer is the sole judge as to the amount to be advanced by each succeeding bid.

8. All Lots Sold "AS IS". Neither the Gallery nor Auctioneer nor Consignor make any express or implied warranties or representations with respect to the property or correctness of the advertisement, catalog, Lot descriptions and any other medium used to announce this auction or any other description of the physical condition, attribution, provenance, genuineness, description, condition of the property, estimate of value, quality, importance, size or authenticity of the property offered and described either online or via telephone, text, email or any other communication.

9. Condition: A condition report may be obtained by viewing the online catalog, or you may contact the Gallery. Not withstanding any condition reports or catalog descriptions provided, all lots are offered and sold AS IS In most cases, we describe the quality of the impression of the print. We have never seen perfect prints as they can have wipe marks and abrasions made by the photographer etc.


10. Estimates: Keith de Lellis would describe estimates based on being a retail gallery for over 20 years.
High Estimate: Gallery Retail
Low Estimate: This would be a Gallery bulk purchase price or in some cases dealer wholesale price.
Starting price: Bulk purchase price.

11. Copyright: Neither the Gallery nor Auctioneer nor Consignor make any representations whatsoever that the Purchaser of a work of art will acquire any reproduction rights thereto and copyright to work. Purchaser's ownership of the work shall remain subject to the copyrights of the artist.

12. Amending Catalog, Entire Agreement: This on-line catalog may be amended 2 hours before posting time and represents Keith de Lellis Gallery LLC (Gallery) entire agreement with any and all Purchasers of the property listed herein.

13. Absentee Bids: Absentee bids for Auction Lots will be executed by the Gallery on behalf of the Client during the auction. The Gallery shall not be responsible for any errors or omissions or failure to execute such absentee bids. To reduce the chance of error, the Gallery requests the Client make absentee bidding arrangements as soon as possible. Every effort will be made to carry out the bidder's instructions, but Keith de Lellis Gallery shall in no event be responsible for failing correctly to carry out instructions, and Keith de Lellis Gallery reserves the right to decline to undertake such bids.

14. Telephone Bid: Telephone Bidding is a convenience to Gallery clients who are unable to attend the auction. A limited telephone bid service will be offered as staff and time allow. The Gallery shall not be responsible for any errors or omissions or failure to execute such telephone bids. To reduce the chance of error, the Gallery requests the Client make telephone-bidding arrangements as soon as possible.

15. Credit Card for Telephone and Absentee Bids; A valid major credit card number will be required in order to execute telephone or absentee bids.

16. Credit: Absentee and Telephone Bidders whose credit is unknown to Keith de Lellis Gallery must submit a Credit Card deposit of 25% of their maximum bids. If successful, the deposit will be applied to the purchases; if unsuccessful, the deposit will be returned.

17. Institutional Buyers may make separate payment arrangements to coincide with their fiscal year planning. These arrangements must be discussed and approved prior to the auction.

18. Terms for all Purchases: Accepted payments are cash, wire transfer, personal check, Visa, Mastercard, American Express and LiveAuctioneer. Payments by credit card and LiveAuctioneer will be charged a 3% additional processing fee. Unless exempt by law, the Purchaser will be required to pay any and all applicable New York state taxes. In the event of deliveries outside of New York, it is the Purchaser's responsibility to pay any compensating use tax of another state on the purchase price. All monies shall be made payable to Keith de Lellis Gallery, LLC. At the Gallery's discretion, payment will not be deemed to be complete until funds represented by checks or credit cards have been processed by Seller's bank, usually within 1-3 days.

19. In House Shipping: The Gallery has in house shipping available. Flat rate shipping and transit insurance is noted on each Lot for shipping in the lower 48 States of USA. Shipping costs to Alaska, Hawaii and foreign countries will be quoted individually. Buyers are responsible for all taxes, customs fees and VAT that may apply to their purchase and shipment.

Please provide a correct street address, email address and telephone number for our shipper in order to expedite the receipt of your purchase. Items not removed or shipped from our warehouse after 30 days will be subject to a storage charge. Shipment generally occurs within ten business days after payment has been received.

20. Pickup at the Gallery is available by appointment beginning September 25, 2020. Buyers may make their own arrangements for shipping with pick-up at the Gallery by their designated shipping agent.

Miscellaneous Provisions:
21. Authenticity of Work Return: A condition report may be obtained by viewing the online catalog or by contacting the Gallery. Notwithstanding any condition reports or catalog descriptions provided, all lots are offered and sold AS IS in accordance with paragraph 3 of the Procedures, Terms and Conditions of Auction. However, if within 21 calendar days after the receipt of the purchase of any lot, as long as the art was received within 30 calendar days of the Auction date, the purchaser provides two opinions by recognized authorities on the artist, and gives notice in writing to the Gallery that the lot is not authentic, and within 7 calendar days of such notice the purchaser returns the lot to the Gallery in the same condition as when sold, the Gallery will refund the full purchase price.

22. Limitation of Rights. Any right of the purchaser under this agreement or under the law shall not be assignable and shall be enforceable only by the original purchaser and not by any subsequent owner or any person who shall subsequently acquire any interest. No purchaser shall be entitled to any remedy, relief or damages beyond return of the property, rescission of the sale and refund of the purchase price; and without limitation, no purchaser shall be entitled to damages of any kind.

23. Remedies: These Procedures, Terms and Conditions of Auction and any other applicable conditions, as well as the Purchasers and Gallery's rights and obligations herein shall be governed by, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Arizona. Purchases that have gone unpaid twenty (20) business days after the sale are subject to any or all of the following including without limitation the right to hold the Purchaser liable for the purchase price stated on the invoice, either (a) cancel the sale and retain as liquidated damages any and all payments made by the Purchaser or (b) resell the property privately or at public auction on three day's notice to the Purchaser for the payment of any deficiency in the purchase price and all costs including handling charges, warehousing, the commissions, attorney's fees, any and all other auction-related charges due and incidental damages. In the event of a default, the Gallery reserves the right to charge the Purchaser's credit card on file in the full amount owed as stated on the invoice.

24. Bull Payment: In order to prevent inaccuracy in delivery or inconvenience in the settlement of a purchase, no lot can be transferred. Each buyer must pay for the whole of his purchases before any lot can be removed.

25. Not Assignable: The benefits of these warranties are not assignable and are applicable only to the original buyer of the lot, and are conditioned on the buyer returning the work in the same condition as at time of sale and in the time period specified.

26. Misc: Dimensions are given in inches, with height preceding width in all cases. Illustrations in the catalogue are for identification only and should not be used as a basis for determining the condition of the lot. First Date used in the lot description entries refers to the creation of the negative or original electronic capture; a second date indicates the approximate print date. The term "signed" means that, in our opinion, the signature is by the artist.

Payment

Payment by American Express, Visa, Mastercard, Bank/wire transfer, personal check, or PayPal (Paypal email: defoto@earthlink.net).

Shipping Terms

In House Shipping: The Gallery has in house shipping available. Buyers are responsible for all taxes, customs fees and VAT that may apply to their purchase and shipment.

Taxes

New York state and local taxes will be collected except where sold to a purchaser outside of New York and shipped to the purchaser or the purchaser has a valid New York resale license and provides such documentation to Keith de Lellis Gallery.

Condition

All Lots Sold "AS IS". Neither the Gallery nor Auctioneer nor Consignor make any express or implied warranties or representations with respect to the property or correctness of the advertisement, catalog, Lot descriptions and any other medium used to announce this auction or any other description of the physical condition, attribution, provenance, genuineness, description, condition of the property, estimate of value, quality, importance, size or authenticity of the property offered and described either online or via telephone, text, email or any other communication.

A condition report may be obtained by viewing the online catalog, or you may contact the Gallery. Not withstanding any condition reports or catalog descriptions provided, all lots are offered and sold AS IS In most cases, we describe the quality of the impression of the print. We have never seen perfect prints as they can have wipe marks and abrasions made by the photographer etc.