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- [Photographs Documenting the Firearm Collection of Hugh Smiley]
[Photographs Documenting the Firearm Collection of Hugh Smiley]
[Photographs Documenting the Firearm Collection of Hugh Smiley]
A substantial archive of original photography documenting the firearm collection and library of Hugh Smiley (1866-1973). The photographs are stamped by E. Winter’s Sons of Kingston, New York and appear to be set at Smiley’s residence in the Lake Mohonk Mountain House, an historic Catskills resort owned and operated by his family.
The photographs are undated, though print qualities and a letter from Smiley published in the magazine OUTERS’=RECREATION, which seems to describe the present photographs, strongly suggest to us about 1921:
“Here, in my own gun-room at Mohonk, I have what I believe to be the most comprehensive collection of firearms and weapons in America, consisting of between 2,000 and 3,000 pieces, as well as a library of several hundred volumes on these and related subjects. […] I am getting out plates of my gun-room, and will send you copies of the prints. I am in touch with many leading collectors and military men, and if at any time I can be of use to you or to the magazine, it would be a pleasure.” (“A Great Private Collection” ; Volume LXV ; July, 1921 ; pp. 498)
A 1961 Boston Globe article called Smiley, “The undisputed dean of American gun collectors […]” and noted his original collection of some 3000 pieces was broken up in 1936, dispersed to museums and private buyers. A vital record, thus, of an important, early American collection and collector of antique firearms, forming an evocative and fine photographic archive.
[Firearms] : [Photography]. [Photographs Documenting the Firearm Collection of Hugh Smiley]. Kingston, New York: E. Winter's Sons (photographer), [ca. 1921]. 61 black and white photographs. Each single weight silver gelatin prints measuring approximately 6 7/8" x 5." Most with ink stamping reading: "E. WINTER'S SONS, / KINGSTON, N.Y." to versos. Several with corner creasing or corner loss. A mild, unobtrusive curling to most prints, otherwise group about very good.
A substantial archive of original photography documenting the firearm collection and library of Hugh Smiley (1866-1973). The photographs are stamped by E. Winter’s Sons of Kingston, New York and appear to be set at Smiley’s residence in the Lake Mohonk Mountain House, an historic Catskills resort owned and operated by his family.
The photographs are undated, though print qualities and a letter from Smiley published in the magazine OUTERS’=RECREATION, which seems to describe the present photographs, strongly suggest to us about 1921:
“Here, in my own gun-room at Mohonk, I have what I believe to be the most comprehensive collection of firearms and weapons in America, consisting of between 2,000 and 3,000 pieces, as well as a library of several hundred volumes on these and related subjects. […] I am getting out plates of my gun-room, and will send you copies of the prints. I am in touch with many leading collectors and military men, and if at any time I can be of use to you or to the magazine, it would be a pleasure.” (“A Great Private Collection” ; Volume LXV ; July, 1921 ; pp. 498)
A 1961 Boston Globe article called Smiley, “The undisputed dean of American gun collectors […]” and noted his original collection of some 3000 pieces was broken up in 1936, dispersed to museums and private buyers. A vital record, thus, of an important, early American collection and collector of antique firearms, forming an evocative and fine photographic archive.
[Firearms] : [Photography]. [Photographs Documenting the Firearm Collection of Hugh Smiley]. Kingston, New York: E. Winter's Sons (photographer), [ca. 1921]. 61 black and white photographs. Each single weight silver gelatin prints measuring approximately 6 7/8" x 5." Most with ink stamping reading: "E. WINTER'S SONS, / KINGSTON, N.Y." to versos. Several with corner creasing or corner loss. A mild, unobtrusive curling to most prints, otherwise group about very good.