[Montana] L.A. Huffman Ephemera (3 Items)

Item Details

[Montana] L.A. Huffman Ephemera (3 Items)

One advertising piece and two blank billheads. 

Advertisement is a promotional piece for Huffman distributed to guests of the Northern Hotel, the "homiest among the many Inns", likely located in Miles City, Montana. Measures 4 x 9 inches; unfolds into five panel pamphlet with nine Huffman images. The hotel displayed these images in their office and lobby. Fine Condition.

Billhead measures 7 x 8.5 inches with Huffman portrait and short bio at top. Unused. One bend to corner. Very Good Condition.

Larger billhead from tablet with perforation marks at top edge. 10.25 x 8.25 inches. Very good condition. Bent corner.

Gene Allen, noted L.A. Huffman expert writes: "Laton Alton Huffman arrived in Miles City, Montana Territory in December of 1879. He was 25 years old and had come to seek the recently vacated position of post photographer at nearby Fort Keogh. Fort Keogh was a military post established shortly after the Custer incident in 1876 to provide a military presence in eastern Montana. He was appointed post photographer, an unpaid position that provided a dirt floor log studio and an opportunity to make and sell photographs. This was a rapidly changing time in Montana's history. Hostilities between early settlers and Native Americans were drawing to a close and reservation life was beginning. The demise of the great buffalo herds was near, clearing the way for large scale cattle ranching. The railroad arrived in Miles City in 1881 and changed everything. The arrival of large numbers of farmers with their plows and fences would permanently alter the landscape of eastern Montana. During all of this, Huffman was there taking photographs - landscapes, animals, early ranches, street scenes and, especially, people doing their work. His photos of buffalo hunting taken between 1880 - 83 are some of the few that exist and are among the most historically significant images he produced. By far his most extensive and complete body of work relates to the cattle industry and its associated activities. He photographed the beginning, heyday, and end of the open range days. In addition to his skill and artistry as a photographer, he was able to incorporate his previous experiences as a rancher. He participated in roundups, helped with the activities and knew many of the area's ranchers and cowboys. His ability to anticipate the action helped him to be in the right place at the right time. His early action-stopping photos, many taken from his "four legged tripod", are unequaled."