Hidden Treasure or Garage Sale Trash?
Rick Norsigian became a household name when the media released his garage sale discovery. Norsigian claims that a decade ago he purchased 65 glass negatives from a garage sale. According to him, they have now been officially authenticated as work of the late Ansel Adams. This vast collection has an estimated value of nearly $200 million. He referred to himself as being ‘lucky’ to have purchased these items.
According to his lawyer Norsigian had a team of experts studying the negatives for six months. The conclusion was that they were some of Adams’ work that was believed to be lost in a fire.
Adams, who passed in 1984, is famous for black and white nature photos that are now commonly seen on calendars, posters and books.
Norsigian is already planning to make money from this discovery. He has a website to sell prints from the negatives. A fan or collector can buy a poster for $45 and a darkroom print for $7,500. He is also working on a documentary and a plan to tour.
The reps for the late Adams call this an ‘unfortunate fraud’. According to Ansel Adams Publishing Rights Trust managing director Bill Turnage, Norsigian has been calling and giving them problems for a decade.
Adams’ own grandson admits to being ‘skeptical’.
Norsigian claims he never had an idea the negatives were Adams’ work and even laughed when someone suggested it. The thought lingered and he chose to research which led to the belief they were indeed his shots.
After years of attempting to get them verified, Norsigian met lawyer Peter and assembled the team of experts.
Matthew Adams disagrees with the handwriting being labeled as Ansel’s wife’s handwriting. Claiming inconsistencies such as misspelling he said it doesn’t seem likely. He also disagreed with other findings of the experts.
The value of the negatives has been estimated at $200 million however Turnage says that is ridiculous. He cited that the value of Adams’ work is worthless without his own dark room prowess.
Norsigian says he won’t let it get to him. When asked about those who do not believe he was quoted as saying “prove me wrong”.
Short URL: http://www.yamche.com/?p=405
Posted by CarolCostello
on Jul 28 2010. Filed under Business, Featured News.
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