Alfred Hoyt Corbett (1915–2000), an American attorney born in Portland, Oregon, served twelve years in the Oregon Legislative Assembly. During his professional career he authored civil rights legislation and pioneered child health measures, while in private, he was a passionate photographer and photography collector. He was drawn to photographers who shared his reverence for the beauty of the natural landscape and his respect for the dignity and strength of labor. In the late 1950s he began acquiring images which reflected these concerns. During vacations he attended photography workshops, oftentimes buying directly from artists he respected and admired for their vision, technique and working habits.

Keen to share his vision with a larger audience, Corbett loaned his collection to the Portland Art Museum, where it was cherished for twenty-four years before his passing, when the collection was offered at auction here at Christie's in 2000. The present lot, a rich and rare print of Steps on the Castillo at Chichen Itza by Laura Gilpin was a highlight of the collection and appeared on the cover of the catalogue.