Printed Books & Early American Photography, including Selections from the Larry Ness Collection

Cabinet card, studio portrait of an unidentified militia man and officer, most likely from the Fourth Infantry Band, with Private Charles Howard's Ft. Sanders, W.T. imprint on verso (even toning to print, light soiling to mount, very good overall).

Charles Howard, who was a musician by trade, was assigned to the Fourth Infantry Band, which was stationed in Fort Bridger, Wyoming Territory. While at Fort Bridger, Private Howard began producing photographs of his surroundings as well as portraits of those stationed at the fort. In 1877, Howard was invited by Captain William S. Stanton to produce photographic documentation of his expedition to Wyoming and Nebraska. During the Stanton Expedition, Howard photographed areas such as Fort Laramie, the Black Hills, Fort McKinney, Camp Robinson, and Camp Sheridan, among others. In 1878, Howard was transferred to Fort Sanders, W.T. to continue with his original assignment as a member of the Fourth Infantry Band. While at Fort Sanders, Howard set up a portrait gallery and produced images such as this of the officers, men, and their families until he was discharged from the army for completing his enlistment in 1880. See Charles Howard (photographer) Wikipedia page with references from Howard's primary biographer Ephriam D. Dickson III.

Fort Sanders, established in 1866, was located near Laramie, Wyoming. The post was intended to protect the construction crews of the Union Pacific Railway, the Overland and Lodgepole Creek emigrant routes, and the Denver-Salt Lake stage route. It was abandoned and transferred to the Interior Department in 1882.

Provenance: The Thomas Minckler Collection of Western Americana; Cowan's, American History, 19 June 2009, Lot 372.