Beschreibung:

Title: Album of photographs of the Desmond Yosemite Falls Camp Author: ** Place: Yosemite Publisher: Date: c.1916 Description: Approximately 60 silver photographs: 30 are 6½x8½ or reverse, uncredited but concentrating on the Desmond Yosemite Falls Camp; 20 are 5¾x3½, stock photographs of Yosemite by Pillsbury Photo, captioned in the negatives, a few dated from 1914 to 1916; 3 are 4½x6¾, of Glacier Point Hotel, captioned in the negatives, dated 1916, including one of the fireplace while under construction; 5 are 5½x3½, Prescott's Inn, apparently not Yosemite. Plus a color brochure for Saratoga Mineral Springs and a few loose photos. Album is 8x10½, flexible morocco, with "Desmond Yosemite Falls Camp" written in white ink on front endpaper. Very interesting photograph album of the Desmond Yosemite Falls Camp on the Yosemite Valley floor, quite possibly put together for promotional purposes. Included are patrons sitting in folding camp chairs before the main camp building; seated on the porch watching vintage cars drive by; the smaller camp tent buildings, with the Falls in the background, campers seated amongst the trees; fishing in the Merced River; a photograph of a drawing giving a cut-away view of the interior of one of the tent buildings; the common dining area in the main building; dancing and billiard playing; interiors of the bathrooms, both men's and women's; etc. The Pillsbury photographs are the usual views of the spectacular scenery. D.J. Desmond, a general commissary contractor operating in California, was granted permission to build and operate a new camp in Yosemite Valley during the summer of 1916, in competition with David Curry. The Sierra Club Bulletin, Volume 10, notes that there was "the understanding that if he rendered good service in his camp, he would have a long-time concession. He built and operated the Yosemite Falls camp and gave his guests service of a high order..." Lot Amendments Condition: Covers scuffed; else very good or better. Item number: 204670