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CA - Murphys,Calaveras County - Cutting Photo Collection

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:37,500.00 USD Estimated At:75,000.00 - 125,000.00 USD
CA - Murphys,Calaveras County - Cutting Photo Collection
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Group of six original photographs (ambrotypes, daguerrotypes) and the original 4 page letter describing the photographs from 7/13/1858. This may be the only such remaining pair extant.

This group was sent to niece Delia Cutting in Chelsea, Ma. From Tunnel Hill, Ca. in July 1858. There are 2 half plate ambrotypes of the mine at Tunnel Hill. Scenes show the top and bottom sections of the operation with Ephraim and Kimball in the foreground. Cutting wrote to his niece, "This is a view of the mining ground at Tunnel Hill, or that part of it where we are now at work endeavoring to gather gold."

Included are portraits, also described in his letter. "I wrote you some time ago if an opportunity occurred, I would send you a picture of my pretty face and have improved my first chance to fulfill my promise. Whether it looks like me or not is for others to decide, not me." About his partner's portrait, he wrote, "I have sent also, an ambrotype of my partner (Mr. Kimball), the gentleman with whom I have been connected in business during my residence in California and for several years in New Orleans before we got infected with the gold fever."

The grouping also includes portraits of Ephraim's brothers, Henry and Curtis Cutting. All photos are in very sharp condition, 3 of the presentation holders are worn at the hinges. A very nice pictorial archive from a very exciting time in history.