[WYOMING] — J. H. PURDY, FRANK JAY HAYNES, AND WILLIAM SEWARD WEBB | Notes and Photographs of a Trip to the Jackson Lake Country in Northwest Wyoming for Big Game Shooting. [N.P.]: Privately Printed, ca. 1896

Property from the Sporting and Travel Library of Arnold "Jake" Johnson

[WYOMING] — J. H. PURDY, FRANK JAY HAYNES, AND WILLIAM SEWARD WEBB

Notes and Photographs of a Trip to the Jackson Lake Country in Northwest Wyoming for Big Game Shooting. [N.P.]: Privately Printed, ca. 1896

Oblong 4to (7⅛ x 9¼ in.; 180 x 235mm). 15 p.p. of text, 42 photographs on 22 leaves. Black buckram, date in gilt on upper board, all edges gilt. Quarter navy morocco over blue cloth covered boards, spine gilt-lettered, folding chemise.

A rare hunting narrative, printed for private circulation, with photography by Frank Jay Haynes.

On the 12th of September, the diary begins: "Left Shelburne, Vt., by special train, consisting of private car Ellsmere, one stateroom car, one combination baggage and sleeping car and horse car." J. H. Purdy, the "historian" of the excursion, goes on to name the various members of the hunting party, and also acknowledges that "a goodly staff of assistants attended to our personal comforts and mixed cocktails." Once the group has arrived at Cinnibar, Purdy notes the other "personel of the expedition," paying particular attention to F.J. Haynes, the official photographer of Yellowstone Park, there to immortalize the party," and show them how to catch fish. The accompanying photography strikingly captures scenes of camp life, the dramatic landscapes that surround the men, and the spoils of their hunts. As well as becoming the official photographer of Yellowstone, and operating early transportation concessions in the park, Haynes—or "the Professor", as most knew him—also became the official photographer of the Northern Pacific Railway. His iconic images were widely published in articles, journals, and books of the day, and were also turned into stereographs and postcards.

PROVENANCE:

Samuel B. Webb (his bookplate to front pastedown; presentation inscription from Van[derbilt] Webb, son of the author, to his son Samuel)