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Isaiah West Taber, artist
American, 1830--1912
Seal Rock, Near the Cliff House, circa 1880
albumen print
12.4 x 20.4 cm (image)
Museum Purchase , Gift of Carol Covington Gallery and the George H. Cabaniss Jr. Fund 1994.132

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Artist Credit: all

Artist Biography: Massachusetts native, he was one of the most successful 19th century photographers and photographic publishers. He worked as a gold miner, rancher, and dentist before learning the daguerreotype process and opening one of the first photographic studios in Syracuse, New York. Taber moved to San Francisco in 1864 and joined the photographic publishing firm of Bradley & Rulofson. In 1871 he opened his own studio and photographic publishing company and soon was operating a successful portrait, landscape, and urban photography business. Like photographers promoting other cities, Taber linked much of his work to the tourist trade. His landscapes and views of San Francisco appeared in publications such as Hartwell and Mitchell's souvenir city-view book and his own two-album set, California Scenery and California Scenery and Industries. The albums were part of a commercial endeavor and contained images from Taber's extensive files, surrounded by advertising text. Taber employed numerous staff photographers whose work he published under his own name. He also published under the Taber imprint, images by Carleton Watkins after acquiring negatives from the bankrupt photographer in 1876. By the 1890's Taber was internationally famous, with studios in London and on the Continent.

Related Keywords
House Cliff the Near Fund Jr Cabaniss H George Gallery Covington Carol Gift Purchase Museum America North Francisco San California States United Photograph Waterscape Genre print albumen water standing girls two dog woman tripod camera man hatted top Rock Seal out looking beach view Isaiah West Taber American 5049161418660009 A056444 1994.132 AFGA