WAR DEPARTMENT. CORPS OF ENGINEERS, U.S. ARMY. GEOGRAPHICAL AND GEOLOGICAL EXPLORATIONS AND SURVEYS WEST OF THE 100TH MERIDIAN, 1871-1874.

[BANC PIC 1905.17117:10]

Gift of U.S. Engineer Department, 1880

Expedition of 1871. 1st Lieut. Geo. M. Wheeler. Corps of Engineers, Commanding.

No. 10. (left) "Mojave Indians caught napping. The first opportunity to get pictures of them, owing to a superstitious fear of the camera. The weather was quite warm, as may be inferred from the lack of covering (The geologist in the background pondering the whether the specimens before him are pliocene or eocene, but concludes the are 'carboniferous'). T.H. O'Sullivan, Phot."

Expedition of 1873. 1st Lieut. Geo. M. Wheeler. Corps of Engineers, Commanding.

No. 68. (right) "Aboriginal life among the Navajo Indians. Cañon de Chelle, New Mexico. Squaw weaving blankets. The native loom. The blankets made are of the best quality, and impervious to water."

[BANC PIC 1905.17116:26]

[BANC PIC 1905.17116:29]

Expedition of 1873. 1st Lieut. Geo. M. Wheeler. Corps of Engineers, Commanding.

No. 72. (left) "Navajo Brave and his Mother. The Navajos were formerly a warlike tribe until subdued by U.S. Troops, in 1859-60. Many of them now have fine flocks, and herds of horses, sheep and goats."

This survey expedition stereograph collection of 150 albumen stereographs is the product of the Geographical Surveys West of the 100th Meridian from 1871-1874, and was published by the War Department Corps of Engineers, U.S.A.

The U.S. Geographical and Geological Surveys were implemented for the purpose of surveying, mapping, and studying the vast expanses of the previously unknown western landscapes of the United States. Timothy H. O'Sullivan and William Bell were the official photographers of the surveys.

The entire compilation consists of:

• Fifty stereo views taken by T.H. O'Sullivan and William Bell from the expeditions of 1871, 1872, 1873, and 1874, including Zuni, Navaho, Apache, and Ute Indians, Canyon de Chelly and the Grand Canyon, and other scenes in Arizona and New Mexico
• Twenty-three stereo views taken by T.H. O'Sullivan from the expedition of 1871, including Black Canyon and Grand Canyon, and other scenes in Arizona and New Mexico
• Thirty-nine stereo views taken by William Bell from the expedition of 1872, including Canyon of Kanab Creek, and Grand Canyon scenes in Arizona
• Thirty-eight stereo views taken by T.H. O'Sullivan from the expedition of 1873, including Zuni, Navajo, and Apache Indians, and Canyon de Chelly.

A label on the inside cover of the original carton for the images bears a gift plate that recognizes the donor of these historical images.