How a Robert Mapplethorpe Print Came 'Close' to Outselling an Ansel Adams Photo

Photo auctions have been one of the most grueling times for any photography enthusiast. Not only do they show the real-world demand for photography, but they also pit many great photographers against one another. For instance, Nan Goldin and Robert Frank were two photographers whose works were the most highly valued during last year's Leica auction. Similarly, Fine Photographs, a new auction hosted at Swann last week in New York, also saw two legends going toe-to-toe: Robert Mapplethorpe and Ans...