William Henry Brown and George C. Bennett Photographs
Collection
Identifier: PAAC-0030
Scope and Contents
This small but significant collection consists of portraits in various card mounted formats and sizes, as well as photographs of New Mexico places and scenes, including an important run of stereoviews.
Between 1881 and 1883, the studio produced a large amount of work for the newly reorganized New Mexico Historical Society, including portraits (some original, some copy images) of New Mexico Territorial notables. These portraits became an early nucleus of the present day Museum of New Mexico collection.
The studio's production of views of New Mexico was also remarkable. Their known catalog consisted of hundreds of stereographs. These commercial views promoted a variety of subjects, including the railroad, mining, the Tertio-Millenial Exposition, archaeological expeditions, special events, and cityscapes.
Many images by Bennett appear on W.H. Brown studio mounts. Due to the overlap and confusion regarding attribution for these two photographers' work, both are processed under this one collection. Images are by W.H. Brown, Bennett & Brown, Fannie Brown, George C. Bennett, and Bennett & Burrall, or copied by them, with many variants published. Bennett & Brown image numbers appear in parentheses.
Between 1881 and 1883, the studio produced a large amount of work for the newly reorganized New Mexico Historical Society, including portraits (some original, some copy images) of New Mexico Territorial notables. These portraits became an early nucleus of the present day Museum of New Mexico collection.
The studio's production of views of New Mexico was also remarkable. Their known catalog consisted of hundreds of stereographs. These commercial views promoted a variety of subjects, including the railroad, mining, the Tertio-Millenial Exposition, archaeological expeditions, special events, and cityscapes.
Many images by Bennett appear on W.H. Brown studio mounts. Due to the overlap and confusion regarding attribution for these two photographers' work, both are processed under this one collection. Images are by W.H. Brown, Bennett & Brown, Fannie Brown, George C. Bennett, and Bennett & Burrall, or copied by them, with many variants published. Bennett & Brown image numbers appear in parentheses.
Dates
- Majority of material found within 1878 to 1884
- 1845 - 1884
Creator
- Brown, W. H. (William Henry), 1844-1886 (Photographer, Person)
Access Restrictions
Collection is open to researchers on a request basis only, pending approval of request to view original material.
Copy Restrictions
User responsible for all copyright compliance. Permission to publish must be obtained from Photo Archives. Form to request permission available at: https://www.nmhistorymuseum.org/collections/photo-archives/order-photos
Biographical Information
William Henry Brown came to Santa Fe from Saint Louis in 1866 with his father, the photographer Nicholas Brown. Nicholas Brown is considered one of the earliest known photographers in New Mexico whose work is extant. William Henry Brown worked in partnership with his father in a studio next door to the Santa Fe Hotel. In 1867 a trip to Chihuahua, Mexico with his father resulted in a studio there which he operated until 1869 (with possible trips back to Santa Fe through 1872). He returned to Santa Fe in 1880 to form a partnership with “operator” George C. Bennett out of a studio on the west side of the Plaza.
George C. Bennett was primarily active as maker of portraits, stereographs and view cards. He first appears in Santa Fe as part of Bennett and Burrall in 1878 before operating briefly on his own. He established a partnership with William Henry Brown from 1880-1882, doing most of the firm's traveling and view work. As agent of the Brown studio, Bennett did extensive work for the noted archaeologist Adolph Bandelier at Acoma, Santo Domingo, Cochiti and Frijoles Canyon from 1880 to 1883.
Even though W.H. Brown's photography business came to advertise primarily under the Brown name, Bennett was his operator until at least 1883. Brown's health problems increasingly forced the hiring of other photographers, including his wife Fannie, to operate his business. Brown moved to Parral, Mexico in 1884 and then in 1885 to El Paso, where he died of consumption in 1886, and where Fannie did work for noted photographer Francis Parker.
George C. Bennett was primarily active as maker of portraits, stereographs and view cards. He first appears in Santa Fe as part of Bennett and Burrall in 1878 before operating briefly on his own. He established a partnership with William Henry Brown from 1880-1882, doing most of the firm's traveling and view work. As agent of the Brown studio, Bennett did extensive work for the noted archaeologist Adolph Bandelier at Acoma, Santo Domingo, Cochiti and Frijoles Canyon from 1880 to 1883.
Even though W.H. Brown's photography business came to advertise primarily under the Brown name, Bennett was his operator until at least 1883. Brown's health problems increasingly forced the hiring of other photographers, including his wife Fannie, to operate his business. Brown moved to Parral, Mexico in 1884 and then in 1885 to El Paso, where he died of consumption in 1886, and where Fannie did work for noted photographer Francis Parker.
Extent
.5 Linear Feet
2 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Creator
- Brown, W. H. (William Henry), 1844-1886 (Photographer, Person)
- Bennett, G. C., 1846-1915 (Person)
- Bennett & Brown (Organization)
- Brown, Fannie (Person)
- Bennett & Burrall Photographers (Organization)
- Title
- William Henry Brown and George C. Bennett Photographs, 1880 - 1884
- Status
- Under Revision
- Author
- DK
- Date
- © 2011
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 07/18/2024: Revised by CD as part of the finding aid update project, 2024
- 09/25/2024: Contents checked, organization revised, portraits, Bandelier collection, and graphoscopes reuploaded by HA
Repository Details
Part of the NMHM Palace of the Governors Photo Archives Repository