[Occupational Photo] 19th Century Large Format Miners Photograph with Tremendous Detail

Item Details

[Occupational Photo] 19th Century Large Format Miners Photograph with Tremendous Detail

Photo measures 7 1/2 x 10 inches mounted on 9 7/8 x 12-inch board. Board missing corner with additional bends and tears. Photo has suffered two small creases and shows very light rubbing. Verso blank. Good condition.

This is one of those fabulous 19th century occupational photos with so much character it almost makes up for the fact that we know little about the facts of the image. We do not know the photographer nor the location, but the 13 miners posed provide a glimpse into the clothing, tools and bravado of 19th century hard rock miners. 

Three men wield picks, two have sledgehammers, another a large cross saw and another holds a wrench. We also see two classic mining lunch pails which every miner would carry underground. 

Two of the miners are identified as "Uncle Fred" and "Grandpa" in pencil plus the word "Benton" is written in pen at the bottom of the mount. Josephine County Oregon was home to an active gold mine named "Benton" in the 1860's and 70's. Perhaps this is an image from that mine.