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Alfred Hart photograph collection

 Collection
Identifier: UUS_P0563

Scope and Contents

The Alfred Hart photograph collection consists of The Traveler's Own Book, which is a travel guide for the railroad route from Chicago to San Francisco produced by Central Pacific Railroad photographer Alfred A. Hart in 1870. This book consists of detailed maps of the entire route, two Utah photographs on the front and rear covers, and twelve chromolithographs. In the book Hart describes the main features and sights along the lines, and gives advice on where to stay, dine, and even shop. The full title of the book is: The Traveler's Own Book, A Souvenir of Overland Travel, via, The Great and Attractive Route, Chicago, Burlington & Quincy R.R. to Burlington. Burlington & Missouri River R.R. to Omaha. Union Pacific Rialroad, to Ogden. Utah Central Railroad, to Salt Lake City. Central Pacific Railroad, to Sacramento. Western Pacific Railroad, to San Francisco. Containing Complete Traveler's Maps of each of the Railroads, Showing, by a system new and comprehensive, all the minutiae of railway travel, noting all interesting points, and Illustrated by Fine Photo-chromo Views. The publication of the book was probably financed by the Burlington Railroad (Willumson, Iron Muse, 157).

Dates

  • Creation: 1870

Language of Materials

Material in English

Conditions Governing Access

No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.

Conditions Governing Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the Alfred Hart photograph collection must be obtained from the Special Collections Photograph Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.

Biographical Note

Alfred A. Hart was born in Norwich, Connecticut in 1816. He worked initially as a portrait painter before becoming a moving panorama painter in the 1850s. In 1857 he joined up with prominent Hartford photographer Henry H. Bartlett where he learned the art of the daguerreotype. In the early 1860s he moved to Cleveland, opening an art gallery and store. He spent most of his time traveling to California and in 1865 he started to photograph the Central Pacific Railroad. From 1866 to 1869 he worked as their official photographer. Eventually the Central Pacific picked out 364 stereos to form a series documenting the entire line from Sacramaneto to Promontory. In 1869, however, Hart was replaced by Carleton E. Watkins and his Central Pacific images were later printed by Watkins without attribution. Hart went back to painting portraits and landscapes, but had little commercial success. He moved to New York City in 1875, but eventually moved back to California where he passed away in 1908.

Extent

1 box (.25 linear feet)

Abstract

The Alfred Hart photograph collection consists of The Traveler's Own Book, which is a travel guide for the railroad route from Chicago to San Francisco produced by Central Pacific Railroad photographer Alfred A. Hart in 1870. This book consists of detailed maps of the entire route, two Utah photographs on the front and rear covers, and twelve photo-chromolithographic views. In the book Hart describes the main features and sights along the lines, and gives advice on where to stay, dine, and even shop.

Custodial History

Unknown

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased from Cowan's Auctions in 2013.

Related Materials

Hart stereo-views can be found in 19th Century Western Stereo-views Collection, P0349.

Processing Information

Processed in May of 2016

Title
Guide to the Alfred Hart photograph collection, 1870
Author
Finding aid/Register created by Daniel Davis
Date
©2016
Description rules
Finding Aid Based On Dacs (Describing Archives: A Content Standard)
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid encoded in English.
Sponsor
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, 2007-2008

Repository Details

Part of the Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives Repository

Contact:
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
3000 Old Main Hill
Logan Utah 84322-3000 United States
435 797-8248
435 797-2880 (Fax)