About This Image

Photograph is by Eadweard Muybridge, who worked for Thomas Houseworth & Co. in this period. A virtually identical photograph is in one of Muybridge's albums from Thomas Houseworth & Co., but cropped in at the sides.Much is made by photographic historians of the co-option of Muybridge's 1872 photos of Yosemite by Houseworth's rival, Bradley & Rulofson, with suggestions that Houseworth may have bankrolled Muybridge's trip to the site. While the contretemps produced some ugly talk in the papers and a spat in the courts, the affair did not lead to the decline of Houseworth's business. Because of the preoccupation of historians with the scenic views, they have not noticed the redirection of Houseworth's photographic work to his celebrity portraiture as the novelty of western scenery began to decline in the 1880s.Houseworth’s portrait work did not find the success of others who brought a more contemporary flare to portraiture. By 1890 he returned to optical work exclusively.

Shipping and insurance costs will be added to the price and must be paid for by the buyer. Pennsylvania buyers must pay appropriate local sales tax. International clients are responsible for their VAT and other custom's oriented charges.