American Historical Ephemera & Photography Online

Lot comprised of 6 photographs collected or produced by photographer Albert R. Nicholson (1864-1955). Born and raised in Illinois, Nicholson began his career as a photographer under the employment of Alexander J. Lawson in Alpena, MI, in 1885. With Mr. Slaght, he subsequently purchased Lawson's gallery in late 1885, which the two men operated together through 1891. Nicholson also partnered with Mr. Vandeventer in 1891. He then opened a studio in Oshkosh, WI, between 1897-1902, where he employed his younger brother as a photographer. He later had studios in Lincoln, IL (1901), and Peoria, IL (1907-1914), before settling in Santa Barbara, CA, for the remainder of his life. 

Subjects include: 2 cabinet cards credited to Nicholson & Vandeventer, Alpena, MI, including a street view of the Alpena Studio, inscribed on verso, presumably in Nicholson's hand, "Alpena Studio, first studio I owned," and a studio portrait of a woman identified on verso as "Josephine La Lande, Howard's mother," tentatively dated 1884. -- Portrait of a Native American subject identified in the negative as "Nesrossoba, 1885," and ink inscribed in upper margin of print, "Picture of this old Indian I made in Alpena = year we were married." Image housed under paper mat held together with tape, with additional inscription, "Called by the name Broken Arrow." -- Cabinet card purportedly showing A.R. Nicholson in western attire, with rifle in hand, credited to Cook Ely, Oshkosh, WI, although Oshkosh is crossed out on mount recto, with "Alpena" written beside it. The cabinet card is ink inscribed in lower margin of mount, "A real Indian Buck Skin Suit made entirely by one of my Indian friends." Almost certainly taken while Nicholson was working in Oshkosh. -- 6 1/2 x 4 1/2 in. photograph on cardstock mount with penciled notations on the print and detailed inscription on verso, which reads in part, "This picture I made of the noted (Soldier of Fortune) and Chief of Police in Tegucigalpa & Gen. Lee Christma & the Prisoner and Dr. Waller..." General Christma was referred to in the book, The Incredible Yankee. He had just captured the prisoner shown here. The Chief of Police of Tegucigalpa, Honduras, is shown at far left, and Dr. Waller is beside him (staining to margins). -- 4 3/4 x 7 1/4 in. photograph on cardstock mount credited to Baker's Art Gallery, Columbus, showing criminal Charles "Blinky" Morgan. Inked inscription by Nicholson on mount recto identifies the subject, and notes that he was "Hung at O.P. Aug. 3d, 1888 for murder of Detective Hulligan..." Nicholson continues on mount verso, "To Editor, Daily News, Alpena, Mich...Sorry this is broken - This picture was taken two days before he was hanged as stated on a letter I recd. from John T. Norris - at same time he mailed me this photo. Thinking you might sometime wish to publish it..." Signed by Nicholson, from Santa Barbara, CA (horizontal crease through print and mount, chip to top edge of print, edge wear to mount). 

Together, 6 photographs collected or taken by A.R. Nicholson. Condition generally fair to good, with toning, occasional soiling, and corner and edge wear to mounts.