[UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD]. CARBUTT, John (1832-1905), photographer. Exceptional collection of 27 stereoviews from the series, "Excursion to the 100th M

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American Historical Ephemera & Photography

By Cowan's Auctions

Jun 25, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-06-25 10:00:00 2021-06-25 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : American Historical Ephemera & Photography https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/american-historical-ephemera-photography-7043
The June 25 American Historical Ephemera and Photography Auction features an exciting assemblage of 18th-early 20th century material, including Civil War archives, Early Photography, Western Americana, Autographs and Manuscripts, and more. Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com

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• Lot Description
  A collection of 27 stereoviews, including: 198 - Landing of the U.P.R.R. Excursts. at Omaha. (1). -- 202 - Camp of Pawnee Indians on the Platte Valley. -- 208 - Westward, the Monarch Capital Makes its way. -- 209 - Laying the rails of U.P.R.R.-two miles a-day. -- 220 - Gro'p of distin. guests of U.P.R.R. at 100h mer. (1). -- And, 22 more. Together, 27 stereoviews (numbers 198-213, 215-221, 224, 227, 231-232), each on 7 3/4 x 3 3/8 in. yellow cardstock mount with photographer's imprint, series title, image title printed on recto, each with a period inscription to verso: "Mary J. Graff." Provenance: Mary J. Graff, a relative of James Harvey Simpson, chief topographic engineer for General Johnston's Army of Utah (contemporaneous note). 
  
  In the mid-19th century, a transcontinental railroad was conceived to open up the vast American West to easier settlement, economic development, and military advancement. The route was decided upon after the onset of the Civil War with the northern route being the most southernly one possible within the free states following the Platte River Valley. The 1862 Pacific Railroad Act allowed the construction to be possible with two companies building simultaneously: Central Pacific Railroad of California building eastward from Sacramento, and a newly formed company, Union Pacific, building westerly from Omaha, Nebraska.  
  
  Construction was laborious from both directions, but the Union Pacific faced supply issues, especially for lumber in the treeless plains. They also face frequent attacks from Native Americans protecting their homeland. In October 1866, the Union Pacific reached a milestone by reaching the 100th Meridian near Cozad, Nebraska. Thomas Durant, the vice president and general manager of Union Pacific, hosted the "100th Meridian Excursion" with a group of politicians, reporters, and other notable figures which was captured by photography pioneer and Union Pacific's official photographer John Corbutt. Views include the arrival at Omaha, Pawnee Indians, laborers laying railway ties, and many group pictures of the excursionists, dignitaries, press, and Union Pacific directors including Thomas Durant (image #224). 
  
  A contemporary note included with the stereoviews: "Photos of Cousin Mary's wonderful 'trip' in 1866, with Uncle Harvey Simpson. Who was government commissioner for the Union Pacific R.R." A later hand records the planned event and how it was disrupted: "The purpose of this trip was the celebrating of the reaching of the 100th Meridian where it was intended to drive a golden spike! But word came that the Indians were on the war path. The party was hustled back out of danger and Cousin Mary never did see this ceremony (if it ever did take place)." James Harvey Simpson was the chief topographic engineer for General Johnston's Army of Utah and published a Department of the Interior report ...On the Union Pacific Railroad and Branches...to Hon. James Harlan, Secretary of the Interior, November 23, 1865. The transcontinental railroad was completed when the two railways were joined at Promontory, Utah on 10 May 1869, with the driving of a golden spike.
  
  Complete list of stereoviews:
  
  198 - Landing of the U.P.R.R. Excursts. at Omaha. (1). 
  
  199 - Landing of the U.P.R.R. Excursts. at Omaha. (2). 
  
  200 - Steamers Denver and colorado, U.P.R.R.
  
  201 - Group of Excursts. at Camp No. 1 Columbus, Neb.
  
  202 - Camp of Pawnee Indians on the Platte Valley. 
  
  203 - Group of Mounted Pawnee Warriors. 
  
  204 - Group of Pawnee Warrs. & palace cars of U.P.R.R.
  
  205 - The Excursion Train going West.
  
  206 - Excur. party 275 ms. W. of Omaha, Oct. 24 '66. (1). 
  
  207 - Excur. party 275 ms. W. of Omaha, Oct. 24 '66. (2). 
  
  208 - Westward, the Monarch Capital Makes its way. 
  
  209 - Laying the rails of U.P.R.R.-two miles a-day.
  
  210 - The Elkhorn Club on the banks of the Platte.  
  
  211 - The Platte River opposite Platte City.
  
  212 - The Platte River and Kinsley's Brigade. 
  
  213 - Commissioners and Directors of the U.P.R.R.
  
  215 - Head Quarters, Platte City, Oct. 25th, 1866. 
  
  216 - Representatives of the Press, with the Excursion. 
  
  217 - The Boys that made us comfortable, All Hail. 
  
  218 - The Train at the 100h mer. return'g from the West. 
  
  219 - The Directors of the U.P.R.R. at the 100th Mer. 
  
  220 - Gro'p of distin. guests of U.P.R.R. at 100h mer. (1). 
  
  221 - Gro'p of distin. guests of U.P.R.R. at 100h mer. (2). 
  
  224 - T.C. Durant, Esq. & Heads of Depts. U.P.R.R.
  
  227 - N. end E. from U.P.R.R. Works, Omaha. 
  
  231 - View of Omaha, N.T. from Capitol Hill. (2). 
  
  232 - Herndon House, Omaha, N.T. 
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