Carleton E. Watkins 1829-1916

mammoth-plate albumen print, mounted, signed 'Watkins' and titled by the photographer in pencil on the mount, matted, 1873-74

Presumably, the Gardner Collection of Photographs, Harvard University

To the present owner, 1965-66

Grading this albumen print on a scale of 1 to 10 - a 10 being an albumen print with deep brown dark tones and highlights that retain all of their original detail - this print rates a 10. Like the other Watkins view of Utah offered here, this print has tones that are a rich reddish brown. The print is essentially in excellent condition. When examined closely in raking light, a series of 4 faint diagonal scuffs can be seen in the print's upper left corner. These do not break the emulsion, and are only visible after a deliberate search. The mount is lightly age-darkened, and has minor occasional foxing. There is a ¾-inch tear in the top edge of the mount that does not endanger the print.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The Devil's Slide is one of Utah's famous natural landmarks, a limestone formation of two parallel reefs.  Twenty feet apart, and some forty feet high, the parallel formations extend several hundred feet in length.  They can be readily seen by those traveling north on today's Interstate 84, and would have been well-known to the railroad passenger of the 19^th century.  In the mammoth-plate offered here, the train has been halted for the benefit of the photographer.  When the present image was made, Watkins was traveling in his own special railroad car, courtesy of his friend, the magnate Collis Huntington, president of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company.     

Weston Naef and the Carleton Watkins Mammoth Plate Catalogue Raisonné Project locate only one other print of this image: in the collection of the DeGolyer Library, Southern Methodist University.