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Pringle[?], et al[?], photog.

Brooks Locomotive Works, Dunkirk, N.Y. Locomotive Photographs [cover title].

Dunkirk, N.Y.: Brooks Locomotive Works, [1870s]. Oblong folio, recent black morocco spine and corners with original black cloth applied to renewed covers, title stamped in gilt on front cover, renewed endpapers. 27 albumen prints, each measuring approx. 9.75” x 15” on larger paper mounts. 7 photos stamped “Brooks Locomotive Works”; early pencil notes including order numbers, specifications and dates of completion on mounts. CONDITION: Very good, leaves cockled, some soling to mounts and a few photos with moderate foxing, one photo at rear with some soiling and short tears, but generally clean and very appealing throughout, prints with generally strong tonality.

A rare, presumably unique, and truly splendid in-house photograph album documenting engines manufactured by the Brooks Locomotive Works from 1871 to 1880.

Founded in 1869 by Horatio G. Brooks, the former chief engineer for the New York & Erie Railroad, the Brooks Locomotive Works built locomotives for many of the nation’s railroads, both major and minor, as the many fine examples included in this album attest. Among the railroads represented here are the Erie, Lake Shore & Tuscarawas Valley, Michigan Central, N. Y. City & Northern R. R., New Jersey Southern, Cincinnati & Eastern Ry., Mexico, Toluca Y Cuautitlan, Rochester & State Line, Texas & St. Louis, Chicago & Atlantic, St. Joseph & Des Moines, Ohio Central, and others. Many of the engines, most of which are shown with coal cars, are pictured in the Brooks yard with manufacturing buildings in the background. The photographs are generally crisp, and have the strong and satisfying “chocolate” tones one seeks in albumen prints. Only one image is signed. It reads: “Pringle, Fredonis, N. Y.” Pencil specification notes with the dates of completion appear in the top margins. Seven of the photographs are stamped “Brooks Locomotive Works” in the image. As a whole, the album is highly evocative of American industry and ingeniuty, and the role of the locomotive in the growth of the nation.

Item #8971

Price: $12,500.00

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