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r r Ansel Adamsr by F. Malcolm Grany,r r circa 1947-1951r r |
r Starting in 1931, Adams was commissioned by the Yosemite Park and Curry Company, the park concessionaire, to produce photographs of Yosemite National Park.r The relationship ended when Stanley Plumb, Curry Company’s Advertising Director, published this book, The Four Seasons in Yosemite, in 1936 without Adams’s knowledge.r Adams found out only after finding it for sale while browsing in a gift shop.r The contract he had with Curry Company specified Adams was to be paid royalties for all images.r Adams sued and the matter was settled out-of-court in 1939 for $500.r However, this was the last Adams produced photographs for Curry Company, except for reprints from old negatives.1r
rr After several years more of hard work and publicity,r Adams finally achieved fame and money from his photographic work.r Ansel Adams died April 22, 1984.r
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Alinder, Mary Street, Ansel Adams: A Biography (Macmillan, 1988), pp. 130-132.r
r Ansel Easton Adams (1902-1984),r Stanley E. Plumb, editor (1896-1974),r The Four Seasons in Yosemite National Park:r A Photographic Story of Yosemite’s Spectacular Sceneryr 3d. ed.r (Los Angeles: Times-Mirror Printing and Binding House, 1938).r Edited by Stanley Plumb.r Copyright 1936 by Yosemite Park and Curry Company.r 51 leafs, unnumbered.r Illustrated with one color photograph; the rest black and white. 31 cm.r Map and Half-dome drawing by Della Taylor Hoss (1900-1997).r Bound in brown-stamped green paper; saddle-stitched.r Textured glassine cover.r No LCCN;r Library of Congress call number F868.Y6 A33.r
r rr Other editions,r 1st, 2d, and 4th, were printed in 1936, 1937, and 1940,r respectively. The first edition is rare and has about 38 pages.r r
r
Converted to HTML by Dan Anderson, May 2008,r
from a personal copy.r
These files may be used for any non-commercial purpose,r
provided this notice is left intact.r
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—Dan Anderson, www.yosemite.ca.usr
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PHOTOGRAPHED BY ANSEL ADAMSr
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EDITED BY STANLEY PLUMBr
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Copyright, 1936r
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YOSEMITE PARK AND CURRY COMPANYr
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Permission to use any of the material inr
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this book will be granted upon applicationr
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Printed in the U. S. A. by the Times-Mirror Printing and Binding Houser
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Division of Times-Mirror Company, Los Angeles, Californiar
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Third Edition 1938r
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r Geologists say that long ago in the Ice Age two great glaciers, slowly movingr down the canyons which rise eastward on either side of Half Dome, joined;r and that with terrific power, they ground and gouged away the granite slopesr of a lesser canyon, leaving the wide gorge and perpendicular walls which isr now Yosemite Valley.r
r rr Reason and evidence tell us this is true. ‘But sometimes it is easier to believer that some prehistoric race of giants, directed by a master sculptor, hewed andr carved the huge monuments of granite which tower almost a mile above ther level Valley floor; and then led the mountain streams to the edge of ther precipice and sent them thundering down.r
r rr This childish thought is scarcely more fantastic than the actual scenery whichr seldom fails to amaze even the most seasoned traveller. Yosemite defiesr description. It is a place of contrasts. Tremendous yet jewel-like in precisionr and beauty—formidable yet friendly—brooding yet gay—magnificent yetr done with the simplicity of Nature’s master works.r
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r In most of California the transition from season to seasonr passes almost unnoticed; but in higher altitudes of the mountains, winter snows, spring flowers, lazy summer days, autumnr foliage, come and go with dramatic change.r
r rr Yosemite is one of Nature’s most favored spots. When ther warm spring sun has melted the last trace of snow from ther Valley floor, meadows turn green and the oaks and maplesr shoot out their tender leaves. Delicate mountain wildflowersr carpet the Valley; dogwood and azaleas burst into bloom; birdsr return with their gay songs and the black bears leave theirr winter dens for their haunts among the pine trees near the river.r
r rr In April and May the melting snow on the high mountainsr swells the waterfalls to full flood. Their reverberations arer heard throughout the Valley as the waters plunge from ther brink of the lofty walls.r
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r r [click to enlarge]r r Spectacular Yosemite Falls is one of the world’s highest. The upperr fall drops 1,430 feet, the middle cascade 815 feet, and the lower fallr 320 feet—-a total of 2,565 feet.r r | r
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| r Spotted fawns and mischievous bear cubs are a constantr source of delight to Yosemite visitors.r | r|
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r r [click to enlarge]r r The cool green Valley is strewn with azaleas, Indian paintbrush, and shooting-stars. Along the hanks of the Mercedr River dogwood blooms abundantly.r | r
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The Merced River slides from the rim of the canyon to the Valley floor in a series of two great waterfalls andr
about three and one-half miles of roaring, white-crested cascades. In the first plunge the river drops 594 feetr
over a sheer cliff to form Nevada Fall, one of the most spectacular and dynamic of Yosemite’s famous waterfalls.r
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r The Easter Sunrise Servicer at Mirror Lake in Yosemiter National Park has becomer an annual event of greatr charm and distinction,r attended each year byr thousands who come tor worship in this beautifulr natural setting of cathedral-like cliffs.r | r
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r Bicycle riding is a favoriter means of locomotion inr Yosemite Valley.r | r
| r Graceful, stately Vernalr Fall is reached by a well-worn trail which leavesr the Valley at Happy Isles.r | rr
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r [Maggie Howard, Ta-bu-ce]r | r
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BRIDALVEILr
r The shifting winds play odd tricks with this greatr gauze veil of water. A strong gust blows it first tor one side, then to the other; sometimes a strongr upward draft will hold the water suspended in mid-air. The superstitious Indians called this waterfallr “Pohono,” meaning “evil spirit,” and were frightened. How foolish of them—a mischievous waterfall perhaps, but certainly a gay and beautiful one,r and well described by the name “Bridalveil.”r | r
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r r Next: Summer •r Contentsr • Previous: Introductionr r
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r Summer is playtime in Yosemite. The pure mountain air isr filled with the fragrance of pine and cedar, distilled by a warmr sun in cloudless skies. Hiking, riding, fishing, swimming, golf,r tennis . . . all have an added zest in this ideal climate andr grand setting of natural beauty.r
r rr Far up in the higher mountains over the rim of the Valley, ther last trace of snow has disappeared from the trails, and groupsr of hikers and riders exchange a cheery “hello” as they pass,r bound for their favorite camping or fishing spots, beside a sky-blue lake or a cool, white-crested stream.r
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r r [click to enlarge]r r A “horseback” picnic is an exciting adventure for the youngsters.r | r
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r r [click to enlarge]r r At Happy Isles the Merced River in a noisy, playful mood, rushes inr white-crested foam past rocky islands.r | r
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r No words can describe the awe-inspiring panorama seen from Glacierr Point. On one side are the distant peaks which form the backbone ofr the Sierra Nevada. Far below, Yosemite Valley appears as a miniature garden of toy houses peopled by tiny midgets. From this point,r 3,214 feet straight above the Valley floor, the story of the creation ofr Yosemite Valley can easily be read.r r rr Three waterfalls are visible from this famous point. Directly acrossr the Valley, Yosemite Falls drop like a long shining ribbon of whiter and, to the east, Vernal and Nevada Falls glisten in majestic rhythmicr beauty. It is an axiom among world travelers that no one can truthfullyr say that he has seen Yosemite without viewing it from Glacier Point.r rr r  r
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The huge bulk of El Capitan stands guard atr
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r r [click to enlarge]r r The pleasant summer nights are ideal for campfires and barbecues.r | r
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| r Near its southern boundary, Yosemite is guarded by six hundred livingr giants older than the pyramids of Egypt. Graceful and beautiful, theser great Sequoia trees of the Mariposa Grove are a constant source ofr wonder. In this grove stands the Wawona Tunnel Tree, probably ther best-known tree in the world, and also the Grizzly Giant, one of ther three largest in existence. The Mariposa Grove of Big Trees is one ofr the major attractions of Yosemite.r | r
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r r [click to enlarge]r r The Wawona Hotel, situated at a healthful elevation of 4,000 feet in ther beautiful Wawona Valley, was included in the Yosemite National Parkr area in 1932. The golf course, which is adjacent to the hotel, ranks asr one of the outstanding mountain courses in the country.r | r
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r r [click to enlarge]r r The late afternoon casts deep shadows as the remaining light sharply outlinesr Nevada Fall and the high peaks of the Yosemite High Sierra.r | r
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r r [click to enlarge]r r A strenuous game of tennis on the Ahwahnee courts or just to rest in ther charming surroundings of one of the Ahwahnee cottages makes a perfect day.r | r
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r r [click to enlarge]r r The ageless granite walls of the Valley inspired ther Ahwahnee’s rugged design.r | r
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r r [click to enlarge]r r Camp Curry lies in a beautiful grove of pine and cedarr trees, in the cool shadow of Glacier Point.r | r
r r r Map of Yosemite National Park by Della Taylor Hossr r r
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| r Far up in the crags of Yosemite’s High Sierra, bluer lakes sparkle like jewels set in rings of white graniter . . . here is an almost mystical grandeur . . . soundlessr but for the lap of the water against the rocky shoresr and the splash of leaping trout.r | r
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r r [click to enlarge]r A circle of five High Sierra camps provide plain foodr and comfortable mountain accommodations so thatr one may traverse this high mountain wonderland,r carrying only personal necessities.r | r
| r Fishermen who whip the hundreds of lakes and white-crested streams of Yosemite’s high country, are seldomr disappointed either in their catch of fish or in theirr measure of pure contentment.r | r
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r r [click to enlarge]r r The real fisherman will tell you there is only one wayr to enjoy trout. They must be taken from a cold mountain stream and immediately cooked in the usualr battered frying pan which forms a part of every old-timer’s equipment.r | r
r For those who love the far places there is nothing quiter equal to a trip over some of the 700 odd miles of trails.r These have been built through the remote mountainousr regions of Yosemite, and are maintained by the Nationalr Park Service.r
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r r [click to enlarge]r r The White Cascade in the Tuolumne Canyon is typicalr of hundreds of such waterfalls and cascades foundr throughout the higher mountains.r | r
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r In Yosemite, when the oaks, maples and dogwoods turn tor flaming colors of red, gold, and brown, the Valley is ablazer with autumn color. In such a setting one would scarcely ber surprised to come upon legendary Robin Hood and his men,r making merry as they did on brown October days in storiedr Sherwood Forest.r
r rr October is nature’s own holiday month, a season of happyr adventure for those who love the autumn woods and countryside. Golden Indian Summer days . . . overhead brilliant redr and gold foliage; underfoot, a carpet of crisp brown leaves,r patterned by the hazy yellow sun; the air pungent with ther smell of burning leaves.r
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r r [click to enlarge]r r Brilliant colored leaves againstr the somber gray of Cathedral Rock.r | r
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r When winter spreads a thick white blanket over the mountains,r Yosemite becomes a great snowy playground. In the Valley,r sleigh bells jingle and Alaskan dog teams mush through ther deep drifts . . . ice skaters whirl ‘round the large outdoor rink;r the shrill screams of excited toboganners mingle with ther hilarious laughter of those who slide down “ash-can alley.”r
r rr Through the Wawona Tunnel, and a few miles up the Glacierr Point road, the Badger Pass Ski House is the center of skiingr activities. Here, Hannes Shroll, famous Austrian ski instructor,r directs the Yosemite Ski School. Almost from the door of ther ski house, an “upski” carries skiers to the tops of domes risingr a thousand feet above, and from which trails radiate in allr directions.r
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r Yosemite is recognized as one of the best ski centersr in the country. The ski terrain compares favorably withr the famous European winter resorts, and snow andr weather conditions are ideal. Expert instructors teachr modern ski technique at the Yosemite Ski School.r | r
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r r [click to enlarge]r r Yosemite roads are always kept clear by large rotaryr plows operated by the National Park Service.r | r
| r Children learn skiingr rapidly and parents watchr their amazing progressr with envy.r | rr
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| r This mechanical lift takesr the “up” out of skiing—r hence has been christenedr the “Upski.”r | rr
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r An ardent skier livesr only for winter when her can skim over a ten-foot blanket of snowr and see the glisteningr peaks of distant mountains.r | r
| r Hannes Shroll, who directs the Yosemite Skir School, is an international champion. Her expected to find onlyr sunshine and orangesr in California but instead found ski slopesr and snow conditions inr Yosemite equal to thoser in his native Austrian-Tyrol.r | rr
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r The toboggan slide offersr “mile-a-minute” thrills in a setting ofr incomparable scenic beauty.r | r
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r Trees in snow-white dress arer as beautiful as in summer’sr leafy green.r | r
| r What would winter be withoutr the merry jingle of sleigh bells?r | r
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r r [click to enlarge]r r The famous Wawona Tunnel, cut through solid granite, offersr easy access to Glacier Point and the Mariposa Big Trees.r | r
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r In winter most of the deerr migrate to lower altitudes butr a few always remain in ther Valley.r | r
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r Alaskan dog teams furnish ar novel means of transportationr for winter fun.r | r
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r r Ansel Adamsr by F. Malcolm Grany,r r circa 1947-1951r r |
r Starting in 1931, Adams was commissioned by the Yosemite Park and Curry Company, the park concessionaire, to produce photographs of Yosemite National Park.r The relationship ended when Stanley Plumb, Curry Company’s Advertising Director, published this book, The Four Seasons in Yosemite, in 1936 without Adams’s knowledge.r Adams found out only after finding it for sale while browsing in a gift shop.r The contract he had with Curry Company specified Adams was to be paid royalties for all images.r Adams sued and the matter was settled out-of-court in 1939 for $500.r However, this was the last Adams produced photographs for Curry Company, except for reprints from old negatives.1r
rr After several years more of hard work and publicity,r Adams finally achieved fame and money from his photographic work.r Ansel Adams died April 22, 1984.r
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Alinder, Mary Street, Ansel Adams: A Biography (Macmillan, 1988), pp. 130-132.r
r Ansel Easton Adams (1902-1984),r Stanley E. Plumb, editor (1896-1974),r The Four Seasons in Yosemite National Park:r A Photographic Story of Yosemite’s Spectacular Sceneryr 3d. ed.r (Los Angeles: Times-Mirror Printing and Binding House, 1938).r Edited by Stanley Plumb.r Copyright 1936 by Yosemite Park and Curry Company.r 51 leafs, unnumbered.r Illustrated with one color photograph; the rest black and white. 31 cm.r Map and Half-dome drawing by Della Taylor Hoss (1900-1997).r Bound in brown-stamped green paper; saddle-stitched.r Textured glassine cover.r No LCCN;r Library of Congress call number F868.Y6 A33.r
r rr Other editions,r 1st, 2d, and 4th, were printed in 1936, 1937, and 1940,r respectively. The first edition is rare and has about 38 pages.r r
r
Converted to HTML by Dan Anderson, May 2008,r
from a personal copy.r
These files may be used for any non-commercial purpose,r
provided this notice is left intact.r
r
—Dan Anderson, www.yosemite.ca.usr
r r Next: Title Pager r
r r r rr
r rr
r rr http://www.yosemite.ca.us/library/four_seasons_in_yosemite/r
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