Posted 13 years ago
sodadad
(21 items)
I purchased this on ebay for a little over a hundred dollars. They had it posted as "A early main street view". I recognized it as what it is. It was taken in the summer of 1876..when Wild Bill Hickock, Seth Bullock, Calamity Jane and a lot of other famous people were there. What is it worth in reality? I think I have a idea.
Post some close up scans of the image area and the printed information.
Also a view of the back would be helpful.
Scott
This looks like a variation of your view. Looks like different photographers but both are of Deadwood, Dakota Territory.
http://www.rollanet.org/~vbeydler/van/3dreview/3dr0508.htm
It is probably worth close to what you paid. Other bidders most likely recognized the significance. A regular stereoview of a street may only sell for a few dollars. Stereoviews are also not as rare as one of a kind photographs.
Mine was photographed by S. J. Morrow which I believe would be worth just as much since he was one of the more famous photographers in that era. Also it sold for that amount in 2004 and old west memorabilia has increased considerably in value since then. Thanks, Savoychina1.
I have a Stereo Views book that lists all the famous photographers and D. S. Mitchell is not listed..but then again there were 10,000 or more photographers and publishers issued commercial views back then.
Without someone famous in the scene, I'd agree with Steve's valuation.
Since 2004 prices in most antique and collectables areas have dropped significantly. The prices (on items actually selling) that I have seen at Civil War Shows (includes Western items) have been at levels from the mid 1990s. It is still a "buyers market".
Scott
I would love to see this through my stereoscope!