I was shocked to hear that a Los Angeles gallery is touting a rare find: 65 glass negatives purchased at a garage sale for a mere $45 and said to be the long-lost work of photographer Ansel Adams. I've always been a big fan of Adams -- who must rank in the top 10 for coffee table books -- especially his iconic shots of national parks such as Grand Tetons (shown here) and Yosemite.

The David W. Streets Gallery says its experts have confirmed the authenticity of the negatives, which were thought to have been destroyed in a fire in Adams darkroom. The gallery, which is unveiling its findings today, estimates the value of the find at $200 million.

If the analysis holds up, it will be a great addition to Adams' legacy -- and a thrill for all of his fans. (I predict it will also lead to a 2,000% increase in garage sale shoppers. Or is the proper term yard sale? Or tag sale?)

p.s. If you're an Adams fan, you would have loved the recent Corcoran Gallery show of Eadweard Muybridge photographs, including shots of Yosemite. The show has moved on, but you can capture some of its flavor in a video at the Washington museum's website.