Carleton E. Watkins, photographer. Indians of Arizona and New Mexico. Stereoview on orange cardstock mount. San Francisco, California: C.E. Watkins, 1880-1890. Image title, series title & description, and photographer's imprint printed to mount recto. Modern pencil inscription to verso reads "Apaches." 

Two young Native American men wearing hide leggings and moccasins. The figure at left poses with a bow and arrow, with a fringed quiver strapped across his back. His companion is seated with a hatchet resting on his knees. Both have adorned their chest with painted geometric designs. 

Carleton Eugene Watkins (1829-1916) first moved to California during the Gold Rush in 1851. He apprenticed under San Jose photographer James Ford and began photographing Yosemite by 1861. He became famous a "known as a master of the medium when he produced his mammoth plate views." (Mautz, p. 152). For the rest of the 19th century, he traveled and extensively photographed the landscape and people of the Pacific Northwest, California, and the American Southwest. 

From "Watkins' New Series Of Pacific Coast Views," this portrait was one of 100 Arizona views taken by Watkins between 10 April and 18 May 1880. Most views were numbered 4842 to 4922, this is one of 4 unnumbered views. C.f. Jeremy Rowe's comprehensive survey of Watkins' stereographs.

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