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Michael Dawson has over twenty years of experience in the field of rare books and fine art photography. Michael has a broad array of experience doing appraisal work for current insurance value, estate and trust valuation, and charitable donations. Michael has recently appraised a large archive of photography documenting the work of designers Charles and Rae Eames, the archive of Bay Area photographer Jack Welpott, and an extensive collection of photographs by Broadway stage photographer Eileen Darby. Michael has worked with the Bancroft Library, the Huntington Library, and the Southern California Edison Company on a number of large appraisal projects.
Michael Dawson graduated from the University of California-Santa Cruz in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in the humanities. Michael is a member of the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (ABAA). Through seminars and newsletters, the members of the ABAA are kept informed of problems of appraising and Internal Revenue Service regulations. Michael is also a member of the Association of International Photography Art Dealers (AIPAD). AIPAD is dedicated to creating and maintaining high standards in the business of exhibiting, buying, and selling photographs as art. AIPAD members provide a wide range of services to the public, such as exhibitions, appraisal, expert opinions, and consultations.
Dawson's Book Shop and The Michael Dawson Gallery has a reference library of about 3000 volumes, including records and price guides.
Sierra Nevada: The John Muir Trail
Very good, foxing to front and rear pastedowns and endpapers, former owner's business card pasted to inside front cover, former owner's signature in pen on title page, First Edition, Limited edition: 500 numbered and signed copies by Adams. This copy is #299, 16 1/2 x 12 inches, 202 pages, cloth, some soiling and discoloration to cloth , some fading to spine as usually found, subtle repairs to spine at top and bottom edge, corners bumped, The first major monograph of Adams' work, this book includes 50 tipped-in illustrations from photographs by Ansel Adams printed in the finest half-tone process of the time. Sierra Club member Walter Starr commissioned Adams to produce the book as a memorial to his son who was killed while solo climbing in the High Sierra. This elaborate publication was used as a sophisticated lobbying tool while Congress was voting on the establishment of Kings Canyon National Park.