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Timothy O'Sullivan's Complete Wheeler Expedition Stereoview

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Historical Memorabilia Start Price:6,000.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
Timothy O'Sullivan's Complete Wheeler Expedition Stereoview

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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 50 views, all arched-top albumen prints on yellow card stock Expeditions of 1871-1874, 1st Lt. Geo. M. Wheeler Corps of Engineers Commanding. Consecutively numbered 1-50, with printed titles on recto War Department Corps of Engineers, U.S.A. Geographical Explorations and Surveys West of the 100th Meridian, 42 by Timothy O'Sullivan and 8 by William Bell, housed in black cloth-covered box with printed label on lid St. Paul, Minnesota Public Library / Expedition of 1874.

In 1869, Lieutenant George 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. 

Condition: Very good to excellent tonality.