Sell Your Carleton Watkins Photo
To auction, sell or consign your Carleton Watkins photo, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (natedsanders.com).
Carleton Watkins Photo Sold at Nate D. Sanders Auctions
Carleton Watkins moved to California from New York in 1849 during the gold rush. He didn’t find success in gold mining, and a few years later began working in photography. Watkins began taking photographs of Yosemite in 1861. It’s believed that Congress saw his stunning images of Yosemite which led President Lincoln to sign the Yosemite Act in 1864, preserving the area as a state park. Watkins was also commissioned by the California Geological Survey to take photos of Yosemite.
Here Are Some Carleton Watkins Photos We’ve Sold:
Scarce collection of 63 photographs from Carleton Watkins’ groundbreaking publication, ”Yosemite Valley: Photographic Views of the Falls and Valley of Yosemite in Mariposa County, California”. San Francisco, 1863. One of the most complete collections, lot comprises a total of 63 photographs, with two of the title page and map, and 61 of the Yosemite Valley, each measuring 11.625” x 7.5”. Scarce as such.
Lured out to California for the Gold Rush, Watkins soon turned his pursuits to photography, a calling for which he was naturally gifted. In 1861, he traveled to Yosemite outfitted with both mammoth-plate and stereoscopic cameras to make the first photographic narrative of the majestic valley, with these photographs the result. They were so impactful, after having been shared amongst Congressmen and Abraham Lincoln, that the Yosemite Grant Act was passed in 1864, a precursor to the creation of the U.S. National Park System in 1872.
Interestingly, no complete accounting of Watkins’ Yosemite photos from 1863 is documented, but next to a collection of 65 photographs, this grouping is the most complete at 63 photographs. Only a handful of other collections even claim more than 50 photographs. The views are exquisite, capturing the rock formations, foliage and natural water sources of the Valley as they appeared in 1861, yet unspoiled by overcrowding. Watkins’ ability to capture the depth of the images – with distant mountains hovering over meadows and streams, is particularly beautiful, aided by the use of his two camera systems.
Photographs retain superb contrast and tonality, all disbound in a period brown morocco gilt slipcase, tooled in gilt on the cover, ”Watkins’ Yosemite Gallery.” Overall in very good to near fine condition. Sold for $112,500.
Enormous 20.75″ x 17.5″ Albumen Photo by Carleton Watkins of 1860’s Yosemite Valley — Signed by Watkins, the Renowned Early Western Photographer
Rare Carleton Watkins 1860’s “mammoth plate” albumen photograph of a Yosemite Valley hunting party. One of the preeminent early Western photographers, Watkins’ photos are coveted not only for their natural beauty, but for the opportunity to peek through the window to see pre-settled America. Having come to California during the Gold Rush, Watkins soon became passionate for landscape photography and scenes of mining activity. His focus upon Yosemite Valley at the time of this photograph influenced the U.S. Congress to establish it as a National Park in 1864. Stunning, large photo is housed in a simple period frame measuring 32.5″ x 29″. Photo measures 20.75″ x 17.5″, with “C.E. Watkins” signature at lower right. Minor dark burn mark in central sky area, else near fine. Sold for $2,420.
To auction, sell or consign your Carleton Watkins photo, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (natedsanders.com).