A CHECKLIST OF C. E. WATKINS' STEREOSCOPIC VIEWS - NEW SERIES
by Peter E. Palmquist
(Note: This introduction accompanied Peter Palmquist's compilation of New Series titles, c.1982)
Most collectors of Western stereographs are avid admirers of Watkins's early work. Frequently, however, his NEW SERIES output is no always so highly regarded. It has been suggested that his new series work is of late origin and produced after Watkins had reached his prime. In point of fact, Watkins's New Series stereographs are of inestimatable historic value. Some are the earliest known views of Southern California, Washington Territory, and other areas of the Pacific Coast. His views of Nevada and Arizona are also exceptional in this regard. Subject wise, the new series contains invaluable records of all kinds of pioneer industries, the onset of tourist development, and the growth of the rural West generally. Artistically, the new series clearly reflects Watkins's professional maturity and includes many of his finest images. Moreover, with the exception of certain Yosemite images and some of the more popular San Francisco views, new series stereographs are often very scarce. Views numbering above #5000, for example, are exceedingly difficult to locate. Hopefully, the following observations and attached checklist will stimulate collector interest and lead to a better appreciation of WATKINS' NEW SERIES stereographs as an outstanding and rewarding collecting area.
WATKINS' NEW SERIES STEREOGRAPHS ARE THOUGHT TO CONFORM TO THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA
1) PRODUCTION |
Generally, Watkins's NEW SERIES stereographs should be considered as those images produced and published after 1875. The new series was issued because Watkins lost-through financial difficulties-a large number of his early view negatives to a competitor. The principal body of new series stereographs are numbered between #3000 and #5300. However, views numbering under #3000 exist, and it is probable that they were "Old Series" survivors published after 1875. Some new series stereographs which number between #3000-5300 are known to be reprints of old series negatives which have been reissued. For instance, the Utah views, #4701-4716 taken in 1873-74, had once been issued as "Watkins' Union Pacific Railroad" series. Conversely, a very small number of old series stereographs exist with numberation exceeding #3000. It should be noted that many of Watkins's New Series stereographs were made from the same negative also used to produce boudoir and cabinet size images; titling is not identical, however. |
2) PUBLISHING |
Stereographs bearing the logo "Watkins' New Series, Yosemite and Pacific Coast / 26 Montgomery Street, and Woodward's Gardens, S.F." were published between 1876 and 1879. Views bearing the logo "Watkins' New Series of Pacific Coast Views, 427 Montgomery Street, S.F. / Photographic Views of California, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, Lower Cal., and the Pacific Coast..." were published by Watkins between 1879 and 1890. All views are on orange mounts with lavender backs. |
3) THE "E" SERIES |
In 1884-85 Watkins made a special trip along the Oregon railroad into Idaho and Wyoming as far as Yellowstone. He issued stereographs from this journey on new series mounts, but with a special numbering: Oregon, #E-l through E-53; Idaho E-100+; Yellowstone E-200+. |
The following checklist of WATKINS' NEW SERIES stereographs have been drawn from many sources, including two of Watkins's published listings: Watkins' New Series Stereoscopic Views of Southern California and S.P.R.R. of Arizona and Watkins' Stereoscopic Views of Southern California, S.P.R.R., the Old Missions, Etc., Etc. Also consulted was Charles Beebe Turrill's "Catalogue-Watkins' Stereoscopic Views, New Series," compiled in 1918. Turrill, who had befriended Watkins a few years before the photographer's death, made his list according to subject content rather than specifically by title. In addition, I have been helped by many collectors; particularly Wally Beardsley, Marilyn Blaisdell, Louis Smaus, Larry Moskovitz and the staff of the California State Library-Gary Kurutz, Richard Terry, and Teresa Bodine. Titles listed are as complete as possible. It must be remembered, however, that variations in Watkins's titles exist, primarily at times of reprinting. Thus, minor differences between actual cards and this list are inevitable. In some instances, an educated guess has been made for certain titles which have not been verified: i.e. in the case where titles proceeding and following a missing title are known to be the same. In cases where only the subject content is known, the title is not followed by a period. Missing numbers within the new series are presumed not to have been issued. Because this is a listing "in progress" your suggested additions and corrections are solicited.
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