Collection of 10 albumen print stereoviews on publisher's yellow card mounts from the official Geographical Explorations and Surveys West of the 100th Meridian, commanded by 1st Lieut. George M. Wheeler, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army. Versos feature the printed federal War Department seal, plate numbers, printed descriptive texts, and official photographic credits to Timothy H. O'Sullivan (6 views) and William Bell (4 views). Several cards bear contemporary Library of Congress duplicate stamps and acquisition marks, including a 1930 War Department transfer stamp. Expeditions of 1872 and 1873. Each approx. 4 x 7 in.

A premier institutional grouping documenting ancient Puebloan architecture, Indigenous culture, and monumental Southwest geology recorded during Lieutenant Wheeler's legendary exploratory surveys through Arizona and New Mexico. The lot includes:

1.) No. 9. - "The Bath," Kanab Cañon.  Outdoor albumen stereoview. On publisher cardstock mount with series title, view title, and publisher's imprint to mount verso. 

View of lush moss-covered grottoes, foliage, and natural dripping springs along the desert canyon floor.

2.) No. 29. -  Explorer's Column, Cañon de Chelle, Arizona.  Outdoor albumen stereoview. On publisher cardstock mount with series title, view title, and publisher's imprint to mount verso. 

3.) No. 22. - Cañon Wall, Cañon de Chelle.  Outdoor albumen stereoview. On publisher cardstock mount with series title, view title, and publisher's imprint to mount verso. 

4.) No. 12. - View in the Grand Cañon of the Colorado River.  Outdoor albumen stereoview. On publisher cardstock mount with series title, view title, and publisher's imprint to mount verso. 

5.) No. 18 - Gardens surrounding the Indian Pueblo of Zuni, in which are raised a variety of vegetables such as pepper, onions, garlic &c.  Outdoor albumen stereoview. On publisher cardstock mount with series title, view title, and publisher's imprint to mount verso. 

6.) No. 17. - Zuni Indian Girl, with water olla.  Outdoor albumen stereoview. On publisher cardstock mount with series title, view title, and publisher's imprint to mount verso. 

7.) No. 13. - Marble Cañon, one of the gorges of the Colorado here, 1,200 feet deep.  Outdoor albumen stereoview. On publisher cardstock mount with series title, view title, and publisher's imprint to mount verso. 

8.) No. 16. - Indian Pueblo of Zuni, New Mexico; view from the interior.   Outdoor albumen stereoview. On publisher cardstock mount with series title, view title, and publisher's imprint to mount verso. 

9.) No. 15. - The 'Vermillion Cliff,' a typical plateau edge, as seen from Jacobs Pool, Arizona.  Outdoor albumen stereoview. On publisher cardstock mount with series title, view title, and publisher's imprint to mount verso. 

10.) No. 11. - Mouth of the Paria, Colorado River; walls 2,100 feet in height.  Outdoor albumen stereoview. On publisher cardstock mount with series title, view title, and publisher's imprint to mount verso. 

Uniting some of O'Sullivan's and Bell's most iconic Western imagery, this collection represents an essential primary record of 19th-century American geographical exploration and Southwestern ethnography.

[Timothy H. O'Sullivan, William Bell, Wheeler Survey, War Department, Corps of Engineers, Canyon de Chelly, Zuni Pueblo, Zuni Girl, Olla, Waffle Gardens, Grand Canyon, Marble Canyon, Paria River, Kanab Creek, Native American Ethnography, Southwestern Americana, Stereoviews, 1872, 1873 Photography]

Very good to excellent condition. Prints display rich tones with sharp focus and strong contrast throughout. Card mounts remain solid and flat with light expected corner bumping and minor perimeter handling wear consistent with age.