Sigismund Blumann called his process of hand-coloring a black and white photograph a “Pastelograph”, of which this is a fine example. This scene may have been taken around Ocean Beach at San Francisco Bay, and most likely dates from before 1933, when the photographer was known to include his honorarium FRPS (Fellow, Royal Photographic Society-the year he gained the honor) along with his signature on his work.

Print details recto: signed in graphite at lower right corner of window impression: Sigismund Blumann.  Slight marks and abrasions to print surface.

verso: written in graphite: The Dunes: San Francisco

Provenance: Sigismund Blumann’s grandson.