Canyon de Chelly canvas print

What's with the new high-gloss canvas print?  Good question.

I thought it might be nice to offer the latest print in a form as close to the Department of the Interior's display prints as possible.  Interior has its murals printed on giclée canvas and Zazzle's "Colossal" is pretty close to a DOI match.

They make great gifts -- and BTW, my birthday is in May.  ;-)

Canyon de Chelly canvas print

Adams' "spectacular and dangerous trip"

Inspiration today comes from the anonymous purchaser of the Glacier National Park poster on Zazzle.  Thank you for your support.

We have a double treat, in the form of correspondence from Adams himself.  This is a two-pager, crafted without aid of a word-processor or e-mail software -- and yes, those are hand-corrections.  I'm probably dating myself by mentioning that I have clear memories of learning to type on a typewriter, making those same sorts of corrections, and even resisting the call of the laser printer.  I had this crazy idea that a daisy wheel (yes Virginia, there was such a thing as a daisy wheel printer) looked more "real," like genuine typing.

What a tale!  Adams tells of his time in Canyon de Chelly ("Canon de Chelle" -- I suspect his typewriter lacked an "ñ" for its "Cañon de Chelle" spelling), traversing muddy, flooded roads, hauling gear, and sleeping in their car.  Apparently, nature makes even its master photographer pay some dues.

Will I be giving too much away to mention that it got worse?  Perhaps... How about a little background on Canyon de Chelly?

According to our friends at the National Park Service, "Canyon de Chelly National Monument is comprised entirely of Navajo tribal trust land with a resident community within the canyons.  A backcountry permit and authorized guide are required to enter the canyon except for the White House Trail."

"Canyon de Chelly is unique among National Park service units, as it consists entirely of Navajo Tribal Trust Land which remains in the ownership of the Navajo Nation and is home to the canyon community, while park matters are administered by the National Park Service." - Wikipedia (What would the Web be without Wikipedia?)

Adams' "spectacular and dangerous trip"

National Park Service pushes the paper - almost properly

This morning's entry regards a goof.  If you're keeping track, that's at least two, so far.

Copies of a Form I-205 (an aforementioned personnel form) were incorrectly sent to Yosemite National Park's admin folks, instead of Ansel Adams.  This note directs Yosemite to redirect that paperwork back to the National Park Service.

Fellow geeks take note: This is a paper copy of a government radio-telegram, not snail-mail, nor wire-transmission.  In 1941 tech, it's not far from e-mail.

Next up: Personal correspondence.

National Park Service pushes the paper - almost properly

$22.22 per diem when actually employed

Today's letter speaks for itself, but it may be interesting to note that that neither the employment form from our previous post, nor today's letter, explain what Adams would do, to earn his $22.22 per diem, except be employed as a photo muralist.  How many images?  How many negatives?  How many prints?  That's not found here.

$22.22 per diem when actually employed

Adams appointed "Photographic Muralist"

A remarkably mellow posting today -- working paperwork for Adams' appointment as photomuralist for the National Park Service.

The text reads as follows:

Appointment to position excepted from competitive examination, under Section 2, Executive Order 8743, dated April 23, 1941.

Photographic Muralist

F08-19, $22.22 per diem when actually employed, limited to 180 actual working days per annum,
#10 National Park Service
Branch of Interpretation
Yosemite National Park, California
Field

No word about any waiver for Adams to be both an employee of the Park Service and a permit holder for the Best Studios operation in Yosemite.

Adams appointed "Photographic Muralist"