Stereo analysis
AnalyzedVerdict
Genuine stereo pair97%
The two photographs contain the viewpoint difference needed to produce genuine depth.
- Depth spread
- 4px
- The range of horizontal difference between the two views. More spread generally means more depth; 0–1 px usually indicates a monoview.
- Match
- 99%
- The share of usable picture detail that can be matched between the left and right views. A higher number means a more reliable comparison.
- Vertical
- 1px
- Vertical drift between matched details. Lower is better; 4 px or more can indicate camera movement, scan skew, or poor alignment.
Five people pose among low shrubs beneath Yosemite Falls, one seated at the left and four standing, several with hats in hand. Both the upper and lower falls are visible against the granite cliffs. Leafy trees frame the foreground, while the small scale of the figures gives the rock face and falling water their measure.
The mount identifies the view as no. 1219: “Yo-Semite Fall, (2634 ft. high) from near Sentinal House; P. T. Barnum & Party”. The caption names Barnum’s party collectively without identifying the individual figures or naming his companions. It places the camera near the house, which is not itself shown.
The yellow mount bears the series heading “CALIFORNIA--YO-SEMITE VALLEY.” and the imprint of John P. Soule, 199 Washington Street, Boston. A copyright notice names Soule and gives the year 1870; this is not a separately stated exposure date. The reverse is unprinted, with a faint pencil notation beginning “250” at the upper right, apparently a price or stock notation rather than a title.
A small dark mark appears above the upper fall in the left-hand image, with a short ink stroke on the upper-left mount. Otherwise clean and sound, with no visible cracks or significant losses.
- Title on card
- No. 1219. Yo-Semite Fall, (2634 ft. high) from near Sentinal House; P. T. Barnum & Party
- Medium
- Stereoview
- Subject
- California, Outdoor Scene, Personalities, Yellow Mount
- Dimensions
- 6.96 × 3.49 in (176.9 × 88.6 mm)
- Condition
- Small dark mark above the upper fall in the left-hand image and a short ink stroke on the upper-left mount. Otherwise clean and sound, with no visible cracks or significant losses.
- Catalogue no.
- MSV1878
Catalogue details
Location
Near the Sentinel House (old Yosemite Village, by Sentinel Bridge), looking to Yosemite Fall · Yosemite Valley, California, United States
Camera position · Exact camera position · 82% confidence
Title: “No. 1219. Yo-Semite Fall (2634 ft. high) from near Sentinal House; P. T. Barnum & Party.” Sentinel Hotel (built 1876) stood at old Yosemite Village beside the Merced at Sentinel Bridge (Yosemite NPS / Online Archive of California photo records). Pin is the camera position near that site; exact spot of the party unknown. Boston address is the publisher, not the scene.
