EIGHT STEREOSCOPIC PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE CENTRAL PACIFIC RAILROAD AND ADJACENT AREAS TAKEN BY CARLETON E. WATKINS IN 1869. From 1864 to 1869 Alfred A. Hart made 364 photographs for the C. P. R. R. who used them to promote the progress of construction and raise capital from investors. Hart was fired by the railroad after construction was completed. It appears that, in addition to the 32 stereo negatives Hart sold to the railroad in January 1866, they retained control of the remainder of his negatives as well, and authorized others to print some or all of them, including Thomas Houseworth & Co. and Carleton E. Watkins, none of whom credited Hart as the photographer. "By 1870 Carleton E. Watkins was at work publishing most of the Hart C. P. R. R. negatives, with Hart's original numbers and nearly identical titles, but without credit to Hart. Watkins mounted the prints from the Hart negatives on cards identified as 'Watkins' Pacific Railroad,' 'Central Pacific Railroad,' 'Watkins' Pacific Coast,' and after 1876 'Watkins' New Series, Central and Union Pacific R. R's.' This latter group also included photographs of the Union and Central Pacific Railroads actually taken by Watkins. Watkins and C. P. Huntington (Vice President of the Central Pacific) were friends ... This may have influenced the transfer of the use of the negatives, although Watkins was already recognized as one of the best and most visible photographers in the West and had previously done work for the C. P. R. R. in 1869" (Kibbey, p. 69). This lot comprises eight of the photographs made by Watkins in 1869, all initially published by Thomas Houseworth & Co. Cards issued after 1876 are published as part of "Watkins' New Series." (1) BLOOMER CUT -- 63 FEET DEEP. No. 1347. ("Central Pacific Railroad" series, Thomas Houseworth & Co., 9 Montgomery St., circa 1869); (2) CAPE HORN, LOOKING EAST, CENTRAL PACIFIC RAILROAD. No. 1244 ("Central Pacific Railroad" series, Thomas Houseworth & Co., 9 Montgomery St., circa 1869); (3) SNOW SHEDS ON THE CENTRAL PACIFIC RAILROAD, NEAR CISCO, PLACER COUNTY. No. 1252 ("Central Pacific Railroad" series, Thomas Houseworth & Co., 317 & 319 Montgomery St., copyright 1868); (4) A FULL TEAM IN THE SIERRAS -- FROM THE CENTRAL PACIFIC RAILROAD. No. 1286 ("Central Pacific Railroad" series, Thomas Houseworth & Co., 317 & 319 Montgomery St., copyright 1869); (5) CASCADES AT THE SODA SPRINGS. No. 4220 ("Watkins' New Series," no address given, n.d., after 1876); (6) FALLS ON THE YUBA RIVER -- NEAR CRYSTAL LAKE. No. 1273 ("Central Pacific Railroad" series, Thomas Houseworth & Co., 9 Montgomery St., circa 1869); (7) MEADOW LAKE, SUMMIT CITY, 6,800 FEET ELEVATION. CENTRAL PACIFIC RAILROAD. No. 1274 ("Central Pacific Railroad" series, Thomas Houseworth & Co., 317 & 319 Montgomery St., copyright 1868); and (8) DONNER LAKE, C. P. R. R. No. 4237 ("Watkins' New Series," no address given, n.d., after 1876). Most images sharp, mounts rubbed or worn at edges, one mount chipped at upper left corner, good or better overall. (#166960).
Price: $1,250.00
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