LOT Holabird-Kagin Americana  /  Mueller ~ Schmidtmann Western Americana BONANZA  / 

612

San Francisco,CA - 1888 - Chinatown Alley Photograph :

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Photographic Images Start Price:50.00 USD Estimated At:100.00 - 200.00 USD
San Francisco,CA - 1888 - Chinatown Alley Photograph :
This is a snapshot of a deserted alley in Chinatown California. The cabinet card measures 4 7/8 x 8” mounted on a black matte that measures 5 1/8 x 8 3/8”. Medium contract due to minor fading at the top background of the photo and focus is good. Minor wear is shown all around the matte and each corner has a slight tear. The bottom right corner is partially bent. The second building on the left is somewhat washed out near the top as well as the buildings in behind it. The buildings on the foreground however are very clear. This piece was photographed by Isaiah West Taber. He had an interest in amateur photography which eventually became his career. He established the “Taber Gallery” in 1871. He is highly known for his success in portraiture of California and Western views. The photo shows perhaps about six to eight different buildings that are seen. They are crafted from wood planks, and the others are made with brick. On the floors are large stones followed by a dirt alley and then horizontal wood flooring toward the back. The first building to the left shows a draped sign with Chinese characters on it. There appears to be a light colored silhouette of a ghostly figure that resembles a young child standing in the middle of the alleyway. The back of the photograph reads 1888 E. H. 1888 in what seems to be script writing. Written at the bottom of the photo is “B I. Alley in Chinatown, S.F., Cal. Taber Photo., San Francisco.”
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