Andrew J. Russell, photographer. 580. Snake Indians Utah. Outdoor group portrait. Albumen stereoview. Published Brooklyn: O.C. Smith, n.d. Retailed New York: G.W. Thorne, n.d. Thorne's imprint blindstamped to recto. Smith's imprint & view list printed to mount verso. Title supplied by period inscription to verso. 

An expedition field view capturing a Shoshone (historically referred to by settlers as "Snake") family group posed before their tipis in northern Utah Territory. The composition features three standing men outfitted in dark vests over light shirts, two of whom are wearing bone hair-pipe breastplates and adorned flat-brimmed hats. Below them sit three women, with the one on the right holding an infant wrapped in cradleboards and trade blankets. A vast array of heavy buffalo robes, furs, and camp gear lay prominently in the foreground, and a saddled pony stands grazing in the background.

This image was originally captured by Andrew J. Russell (1829-1902), the official photographer for the Union Pacific Railroad, during his extensive documentation of the transcontinental route construction between 1868 and 1869. Russell's negatives were subsequently licensed and widely published by eastern stereograph distributors who marketed them to audiences eager for authentic views of the "Rocky Mountains" and native peoples encountered along the new rail lines. The view was likely published by O.C. Smith and then later purchased by New York retailer George W. Thorne, who made a practice of purchasing views, retaining the original backmarks, and simply adding his own blind stamp to the mount recto. (c.f. Richman)

References

Jeffrey I. Richman. "It Wasn't Just the Anthonys: Six other new Yorkers Who Produced Early Stereoviews of New york City 1860-1880." Stereo World. Vol. 15, No. 3 (July/August 1988). pp. 11-12 

[Native Americans, Shoshone, Snake Indians, Utah Territory, Great Basin, Union Pacific Railroad, A. J. Russell, Andrew J. Russell, Transcontinental Railroad, Tipis, Bone Hair-Pipes, Buffalo Robes, Cradleboards, American West, Frontier History] [Photography, Early Photography, Historic Photography, Stereoviews, Stereographs, Albumen Prints, A. J. Russell, Western Photographers]

Very good condition overall, with excellent contrast, and crisp detail. The yellow card mount remains flat, with minor corner wear and slight handling marks. Verso remains bold and fully legible.