Photography fans will be raring to bid on an Arca-Swiss camera used by world-famous photographer Ansel Adams when it comes up for sale with Revival Auction Company on July 9 in Connecticut.
 Adams was like a father figure to DeCock, who achieved acclaim for her photography under his guidance |
The camera, an Arca-Swiss 4x5 View Outfit, is said to have been used by Adams around 1964-1968, before he gifted it to his assistant Liliane DeCock, who went on to enjoy a successful photography career of her own. Now consigned by her son, the camera is expected to sell for between $150,000 and $300,000.
Remarkably, all of the camera's movements are functioning correctly and the bellow is light tight.
"Liliane worked with the famed photographer Ansel Adams for nine years, and began her own photography career after Adams loaned her a camera. She used a four-by-five inch camera lent to her by Adams, and she traveled the country on vacations to photograph landscapes," said Willard Morgan, her son.
"What she really appreciated about that time and about Ansel was he had a very expansive view of what's possible. She came to him with not a lot of experience and [he was] able to see that potential and nurture it quietly."
According to Morgan, his parents were also married in Adams' home in Carmel, California and the photographer gave his mother away.
The auction house believes this is the first Ansel Adams view camera to have appeared at auction.
Paul Fraser Collectibles has a superb selection of art and photography for sale.
