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Rare original 19th-century portrait of a young military cadet, photographed by the historic Watkins’ Yosemite Art Gallery, 22 & 26 Montgomery St., San Francisco.The Watkins gallery is closely associated with celebrated American West photographer Carleton E. Watkins, one of the most important photographers of 19th-century California and Yosemite.The subject wears a distinctive formal cadet uniform with shoulder straps, high collar, and prominent military-style buttons. The exact identity of the young man is unknown.Of particular interest, the Bancroft Library at UC Berkeley preserves a Carleton E. Watkins photograph of the California Military Academy in Oakland, an institution active during this same period. The California Military Academy required its students to participate in military drill and cadet duties. Given the location, period, uniform, and Watkins connection, this portrait may depict a student associated with that academy, although that attribution has not been conclusively proven.The front mount reads:“Watkins’ Yosemite Art Gallery, 22 & 26 Montg’y St. S.F.”The reverse is blank.A particularly desirable image combining:Carleton Watkins / Watkins Yosemite Art Gallery
San Francisco photography
California military history
19th-century cadet portraiture
Western AmericanaVery strong image with excellent facial detail and an unusually attractive uniform portrait.Date: Circa 1870s–early 1880s
Location: San Francisco, California
Photographer/Studio: Watkins’ Yosemite Art Gallery
Subject: Unidentified military cadet / military academy student
Format: Original 19th-century mounted photograph / CDV-format portraitCondition is very good for age with light expected surface wear, minor spotting and edge wear. Please examine photographs carefully as they form part of the description.Important: The possible California Military Academy connection is based on historical and photographic research and is offered as an attribution only. The sitter has not been definitively identified.A scarce and highly displayable piece of early California photographic and military history.
