José and Joe Clark, Hunters of the U.S.G.S., Oversize Albumen Photograph by W.H. Jackson, Yellowstone, Wyoming, 1871

Albumen photograph, 8.75 x 6.625 in., mounted to 13 x 10.5 in., featuring José and Joe Clark. W.H. Jackson: Washington, DC, 1871. Captioned on mount: "José and Joe Clark, Hunters of U. S. G. S." Image number "302" written in the negative, lower left. "Forbes Library" handstamp on image and mount, lower left. "Wyoming" inscribed in ink on verso. Image features the two hunters mounted on horses, with a third horse in between carrying elk meat from a successful hunt. Joe Clark and a Mexican guide known only as José were part of the famous Hayden Geological Survey of 1871, led by geologist Ferdinand Hayden (1829-1887). The expedition was purposed to explore and survey the area that would become Yellowstone National Park. The findings of this federally funded project directly led to the 1872 establishment of the park, the first of its kind in the United States. Joe Clark is thought to be the first African American to see Yellowstone. Condition: Mount with some wear to edges and corners including paper loss, and light spotting/soiling throughout. Penciled inventory/collection number/codes on verso.