Collection Of Late Nineteenth Century Photographs Depicting Phoenix And Southern California -

Phoenix, Arizona and Southern California, 1896. Good. 9 3/8" x 7 ½". 11 loose, lined ledger leaves with 119 black and white photographs adhesive mounted. 57 measure around 3¼" x 3½" with several larger; the rest measure approximately 1½" x 2" and some are captioned, with many difficult to read. Leaves good: toned and with some edge chipping; photos generally very good or better, with some a bit faded.

This group of photos was probably compiled by someone acquainted with the Pinney family in Phoenix, Arizona as there are several photos depicting Harry or Lucille Pinney and the Pinney and Robinsons storefront can be seen in several images. Pinney and Robinsons opened in 1887 and was still in business as late as 1921, combining bicycle rental/repair with sporting goods and photography/mimeograph supplies. A little over half the photos were taken in Phoenix and at least 18 depict Native Americans, including a series of smaller shots showing different groups on the streets of downtown. Two of these show women with babes in arms standing outside the Santa Fe Prescott and Phoenix Railway ticket office and a larger image shows a young man teaching two Native American girls how to ride a bicycle at the Phoenix Indian School. Another small series in Phoenix depicts a "Round Up" and mostly show fancily dressed folks on their horses, with more than half of the riders women. Many of the riders here are identified by name, but the handwriting is difficult to read.

After Arizona the action jumps to a series of several shots in wooded and mountainous areas in Redlands, California which is identified as Smiley Heights. That's followed by several photos at a ranch near Seven Oaks and a few at Lucky Baldwin's ranch near Pasadena. There are a couple of photos taken at an ostrich farm in Coronado, one of a windmill at the Kimball Ranch in National City and several shots in and around a mission in Santa Barbara. Of note is one photograph of the third-ever Fiesta de Los Angeles parade as well as two photos of the parade Santa Barbara's fourth-ever floral festival.

A fine group of vernacular late 19th century views of Phoenix and Southern California.


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