"MEN Of MARK" Cabinet Card Composite Photograph.
San Francisco: Bradley & Rulofson, (1876). 1st printing (presumed). Recto with albumen photograph; verso with printed "Key to Bradley & Rulofson's "Men of Mark."" which details the 110 individuals pictured on the recto. Mount: 4-1/4" x 6-3/8". Photo: 4-1/16" x 6". Now housed in an archival mylar sleeve. Light wear, soiling & age-toning, though image sharp with little to no fading. Slight bow to mount. A VG - VG+ example. Item #50402
"Rulofson moved to San Francisco in 1863 and joined Bradley's studio, which soon became very well-respected. In addition to being technically proficient, Rulofson had a knack for business, growing the studio with plenty of advertising, as well as supplying prints to newspapers in exchange for bylines. The pair were responsible for numerous portraits of leading Californians ... Rulofson's photographic talent was renowned. In 1873, he won gold prize at a competition in Vienna, and he was also elected president of the National Photographic Association in 1874. He was also a founding member as well as the official photographer of the Bohemian Club." [Wiki].
Here we offer a superb Bradley & Rulofson 1870s albumen composite-photo cabinet card of the "Men of Mark", a who's-who of 19th century authors, statesmen, soldiers, artists, etc. As detailed on the verso, this photograph "A galaxy of persons of distinction on the Pacific Coast, also, embracing many persons of note who have visited California sine 1849, -- statesmen, noblemen, artists, authors and others, whose talent, culture, wealth or birth give them right among the celebrated of the world, published by Bradley & Rulofson as a record of passing events." Such personages include General W.T. Sherman, Bret Harte, Mark Twain, Brazil king Dom Pedro, artist William Bradford, P.T.Barnum [who is quoted on the verso],and many many more including the photographer Rulofson himself [#110].
This a rare image from the time of the Centennial; at the time of cataloguing, we see no other copies on offer, nor did we find any listings on OCLC, nor Rare Book Hub.
Price: $875.00