Description
A collection of 37 mammoth plate
photographs of Spanish missions in California by American photographer Carleton E. Watkins
(1829-1916). The photographs are among the earliest made of the former mission buildings and
grounds, which are seen in various states of ruin, 1876-1884. Sixteen missions are
represented, and three photographs are copies of daguerreotypes made in the
1850s.
Background
Carleton E. Watkins (1829-1916) was born in 1829 in Oneonta, New York. In 1851, he migrated
to Sacramento, California in the company of businessman Collis P. Huntington and several
other residents of Oneonta. He began his photographic career as an apprentice to established
San Francisco Bay area studio photographers Robert H. Vance (1825–1876) and James May Ford
(c. 1827–1877).
Extent
21.86 Linear Feet
(8 oversize boxes)
Restrictions
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from
or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The
responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining
necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
Availability
RESTRICTED. Due to the fragility of the prints, available only with curatorial approval.
Requires extended retrieval and delivery time. Please view digital surrogates.