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A Fine Group of Wheeler Expedition Stereoviews, 

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Historical Memorabilia Start Price:700.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 1,500.00 USD
A Fine Group of Wheeler Expedition Stereoviews, 

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Auction Date:2009 Jun 24 @ 10:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
Location:6270 Este Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio, 45232, United States
lot of 14 stereoviews documenting Lieut. George M. Wheeler's western expedition, 13 produced by Timothy O'Sullivan and one by W. Bell, including seven from the Wheeler Expeditions of 1871 (no. 2), 1873 (no. 18), and 1874 (nos. 7, 36, 38, 46, and 50), with 1st Lt. Geo. M. Wheeler Corps of Engineers Commanding printed on recto and War Department Corps of Engineers, U.S.A. Geographical Explorations and Surveys West of the 100th Meridian T.H. O'Sullivan Photo. printed on verso; and seven views from the Colorado River Series, 1871, (nos. 117, 130, 142, and 157) with Sullivan's imprint below each image, the Arizona Series, 1871, (nos. 151, 152, and 157) with Sullivan's imprint below each image, and the Utah Series, 1872 (no. 7) with W. Bell's imprint below image.

In 1869, Lieut. Wheeler led an exploratory expedition into California, Nevada, and Arizona, mapping the landscape, recording possible roadways, and noting sites for future military posts. On his return east in 1871, Wheeler proposed to survey and create a detailed map of the United States, west of the 100th meridian with a price tag of $2.5 million dollars and a time frame of 15 years. On June 10, 1872, Congress approved the proposal.

Timothy O’Sullivan, in search of excitement, joined the Wheeler Survey after having worked as a photographer during the Civil War with Brady and Gardner. Equipped with stereograph cameras, 125 glass plates, darkroom equipment, and processing chemicals, he captured the mystic, unknown, western landscape. The photographs and stereoviews taken during this time were subsequently used as a way of persuading Congress to fund military instead of civilian expeditions. 

The Thomas Minckler Collection of Western Americana

Condition: Light, scattered soiling; VG to EXC tonality; some bumped corners; light edgewear.