Collection of 10 albumen print stereoviews on publisher's yellow card mounts from the official Geographical Explorations and Surveys West of the 100th Meridian, under the direction of 1st Lieut. George M. Wheeler, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army. Mount margins bear vertical imprint credits noting the Expeditions of 1871, 1872, and 1873. Primarily photographed by Timothy H. O'Sullivan, with expedition landscape views by William Bell. Ca. 1871 - 1874. Each approx. 4 x 7 in.

A premier assemblage of survey stereoviews containing several of Timothy H. O’Sullivan’s most iconic and celebrated images of Southwestern Indigenous life, captured under the auspices of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The centerpiece of the grouping is O'Sullivan's landmark documentation of Ancestral Puebloan ruins and tribal portraiture, "Ancient Ruins in the Cañon de Chelle, N.M."  O'Sullivan's 1873 masterwork captures the multi-story stone cliff dwellings nestled deep within a massive natural cavern cavity 80 feet above the canyon floor, with expedition members standing below against the towering streaked desert varnish. The lot also includes:

1.) No. 10. - Near Jacob's Pool, in Northern Arizona. Outdoor albumen stereoview. On publisher cardstock mount with series title, view title, and publisher's imprint to mount verso. 

The cliff in the background is 1,500 feet high, the steep part being of red Triassic sandstone, and the base of soft clay, which shows in the foreground. In this spot is one of the homes of John D. Lee, whose name has been connected with the Mountain Meadow massacre. 

2.) No. 29. - Navajo Brave and his Mother. Outdoor albumen stereoview. On publisher cardstock mount with series title, view title, and publisher's imprint to mount verso. 

3.) No. 28. - Navajo Boys and Squaw, in front of the quarters at old Fort Defiance, N.M. Outdoor albumen stereoview. On publisher cardstock mount with series title, view title, and publisher's imprint to mount verso. 

4.) No. 21. Ruins in Cañon de Chelle, N.M., in a cavity in the wall, 60 feet above present bed of Cañon. Outdoor albumen stereoview. On publisher cardstock mount with series title, view title, and publisher's imprint to mount verso. 

5.) No. 26. - Aboriginal life among the Navajo Indians, Cañon de Chelle, New Mexico. Outdoor albumen stereoview. On publisher cardstock mount with series title, view title, and publisher's imprint to mount verso. 

6.) No. 20. - War Chief of the Zuni Indians. Outdoor albumen stereoview. On publisher cardstock mount with series title, view title, and publisher's imprint to mount verso. 

7.) No. 16. - Maiman, a Mohave Indian, guide and interpreter during a portion of the season in Colorado country.  Outdoor albumen stereoview. On publisher cardstock mount with series title, view title, and publisher's imprint to mount verso. 

8.) No. 19. - Group of Zuni Indian 'Braves,' at their Pueblo, N.M. Outdoor albumen stereoview. On publisher cardstock mount with series title, view title, and publisher's imprint to mount verso. 

9.) No. 7. - Mountain transportation. Pack mule, Pack and Packers. Outdoor albumen stereoview. On publisher cardstock mount with series title, view title, and publisher's imprint to mount verso. 

10.) No. 1. - The start from Camp Mojave, Arizona, September 15th, 1871. Outdoor albumen stereoview. On publisher cardstock mount with series title, view title, and publisher's imprint to mount verso. 

Boat expedition under Lieutenant Wheeler, the first and only one to ascend the Colorado through the Grand Cañon to mouth of Diamond Creek. Distance travelled, 260 miles in 31 days, the boats often having to be portaged around rapids and drawn over rocks. 

[Timothy H. O'Sullivan, William Bell, Wheeler Survey, War Department, Corps of Engineers, Canyon de Chelly, White House Ruin, Navajo Weaver, Navajo Loom, Zuni Pueblo, Zuni Council, Mojave Indians, Camp Mojave, Colorado River, Stereoviews, Ethnographic Photography, Western Americana, 1870s Photography]

Very good to excellent overall condition. The prints display warm, even tones and outstanding clarity. The yellow card mounts remain flat and sturdy, showing only light expected edge rubbing, faint minor corner bumping, and minimal handling wear consistent with age.