A collection of Ansel Adams glass photographic negative plates, thought lost, have been discovered by an antique shopper Rick Norsigian, a Fresno painter, who bought the images at a Southern California garage sale in 2000, for $45.
They were sold to him by a man who bought them at a 1940s warehouse salvage in Los Angeles.
Art appraisal expert David W. Streets believes the photos were taken between 1919 and the early 1930s.
“This is going to show the world evolution of his eye, of his talent, of his skill, his gift, but also his legacy,” People magazine quoted Streets as saying.
“And it’s a portion that we thought had been destroyed in the studio fire,” he added.
The negatives are thought to be worth $200m.
