VITTORIO SELLA. Care Alto, Monte Fumo (944); Monte Adamello, Mandrone Glacier (945); Cima Presana, Bernina, the Valtelline (946), panoramic view from the Presanella, c. 1879-1892, Sella numbers AXI, 944-946. 10.2x42.3" collodion print, printed c. 1893, mounted on 12x43 1/4" brown board.

1. Inscribed in ink on mount recto: 944. Care Alto, Monte Fumo, etc.; Inscribed in pencil on mount verso: 944-946.
2. Inscribed in ink on mount recto: 945. Monte Adamello, Mandrone Glacier, etc.
3. Inscribed in ink on mount recto: 946. Cima Presana, Bernina, the Valtelline, etc.; Print recto embossed with artist's credit stamp in bottom right corner; Stamped in ink on mount verso: Depose / Tous droits - reserves / V. Sella - Biella.

Sella created the greatest exhibition of his career, the February 1893 Geographical Exhibition of Turin, where his prints won the Grand Gold Medal and Diploma of Honour. The exhibition was organized around his photo-essays of geographic sub-regions. The first eleven sections featured topographic views of the Alps, the twelfth section was on Mt. Etna, and the thirteenth and fourteenth sections contained ethnographic and topographic views of the Caucasus. From Turin the exhibition traveled to Boston where it was exhibited and purchased by the Appalachian Mountain club. After being exhibited at the AMC and the Boston Arts Club in 1893, the prints traveled to New England and for the next 12 years circulated in various forms throughout the United States. In 1897, Sella, on his way to Alaska, saw an exhibition of his prints in Portland hosted by the Mazamas Club. After 1910 the prints were exhibited only sporadically. This lot is the original exhibition print.

Good: Moderate wear abrasions, spots, scuffs, dirt, prints lifting and abraded where panels meet, vertical line of wear from upper to lower edges of 944 print; 3" line on upper half of 945 print; 3/8x1/8" damaged area on upper half of 946 print. Mount has edge and corner wear missing pieces, marks and dirt.