American Historical Ephemera & Photography

Two cabinet-sized photos, both matted to 11 x 14 in., 4 x 6.75 in. sight. Ca 1870s. 

Elias Atkinson Bonine (1843-1916) and his two brothers, all of whom became photographers, were born in Lancaster, PA. Elias moved to California in 1876. He became one of he most prolific photographers of Native Americans. His photographs were for public audiences, so he tried to “stage” many in a more “natural” setting, adding rocks, logs, branches rather than standard (for the day) photographers’ props (chairs, tables, columns). These images are an exception. They are part of his Yuma, Arizona series, many of which were photographed with this particular chair that the lone woman is sitting in (and the man in the other image). It shows up over and over again in his Yuma images. Both images on printing-out-paper are taped to the backing at the top, otherwise not affixed to the card backing.