Fantastic CDV-size tintype (2 ½”x 3 3/8”) of a western working ranch with a great deal of content. This image came from an album and was identified with a pencil inscription above the photograph that read, S.D. CO D.W. Kavinaugh. We assume the owner was Mr. Kavinaugh and he owned property in both South Dakota and Colorado,

although research to support this identification has yet to be done. At least 30 people are seen in the image, including women and children. There is a large workers' house and barn on the right with a three tiered roof and smoke rising from the smaller chimney. The top seems to be the housing for the hands with windows visible. The bottom portion has large open doors and the roof above it seems much cruder in its construction. The first story shingles are not uniform on the left side. A family stands next to the house seen on the left and a little girl holds a sign that reads, Red seal corn oysters with supplies. Corn oysters, popular in the 1800s, were kernels of corn mixed with an egg and flour then seasoned and fried. Their size was similar to that of an oyster. A gentleman, likely the owner, is posed front and center wearing a suit and hat. His leg is propped on top of what might be a well. Other content includes horses, wagons, and some clear cut timber visible to the left. The image is in excellent condition with the four corners clipped at an angle. There is some extremely minor surface wear that is seen at an angle. This is a wonderful image that would be a welcome addition to any collection.
$250