#177 • Johnny Johnson "Sudden Encounter" Photograph, Alaska Address Book & Catalog

Part of The Johnny Johnson Estate Auction (timed auction by Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals)

Starting at $5.00

Status: Available

Bidding closes Nov 3, 2026 6:58 PM AKST

Category: Art

A signed and numbered photograph by Alaska wildlife photographer Johnny Johnson (1947-2025). The work, "Sudden Encounter", is dated circa 1991 and numbered 13/1800. The accompanying description reads: "Grizzly bear female with two yearling cubs stand to look for other bears in McNeil River State Bear Sanctuary, Alaska. Along the glacier-fed McNeil River on the western shore of Cook Inlet's Kamishak Bay, grizzly bears congregate in unusual number to feed on salmon. Feeding can be dangerous for the females with cubs as male grizzlies have been known to attack and kill young cubs. On this June day a mother grizzly was attempting to traverse the deep sedge grasses along Mikmik Creek where a lot of other bears were fishing. Anxious to locate the other bears, she often stood to get a better view. Once to my great pleasure the cubs imitated their mother and stood beside her." The photograph is signed, dated, and numbered in the lower left corner in gold leaf ink and printed on Fuji Crystal Archive Supergloss paper. It includes an Alaska address book, 1997/98 The Art of Johnny Johnson Limited-Edition Ilfochrome photographs catalog, and a political poster depicting the "Sudden Encounter" image. The artwork is matted and framed under glass, measuring approximately 33" x 28.75" overall.