1870s SV of WORKERS at DERRICK Drilling for OIL by FRANK ROBBINS of OIL CITY PA

Description: Stereoview photograph (oversize, cabinet) of workers at an oil well, by Frank Robbins of Titusville and Oil City, Pennsylvania, circa 1870s to 1880s, with a sellers label from James Cremer of Philadelphia. The view, No. 106 from an untitled series, has an illustrated backmark with text that identifies the scene as drilling an oil well. It shows three men at work under a wooden derrick. The man at center holds the drill, and the other two young men look on. There are tools at left. This is a great view of the mechanical workings of an early oil well. The illustration on the back shows how deep the well would be drilled and has a picture of the buildings and derricks of an oil field at top. There is a nearly identical view with the same number and backmark currently on eBay that seems to show the same oil derrick and drill, from a different angle, but with three different workers. Neither of these views identify the photographer, but they are almost certainly by Robbins. Born in Keene, New Hampshire, Frank Robbins (1846-1924) opened a studio in Titusville in the early 1870s and then moved to Oil City before 1880. At that date, he was living with his wife and two children in South Oil City and gave his occupation as Artist. The stereoview is in very good or better condition with minimal wear and soiling. The photographs exhibit very good or better tonal range and show very good or better detail. A great early oil well image and a nice bit of Oil City PA history!

Price: 99.99 USD

Location: Ashaway, Rhode Island

End Time: 2024-11-18T19:17:51.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD