Baptiste

James Inglis

Albumen Cabinet Card

Canada

c.1875

Among the most exciting tourist attractions in Montreal during the 19th century was the stomach churning tour by steamboat of the turbulent Lachine Rapids in the St. Lawrence River. It took a special crew and pilot to navigate through all the pitch and roll and then deliver the passengers back to safety. Pictured above is Jean Baptiste Rice, a Mohawk from Kahnawake, who was legendary for his superior navigational skills.

Rice was featured in a few photographs produced by the Notman studio including an image almost identical to the one offered here. This image, however, is a scarce portrait taken by James Inglis, one of Notman’s competitors in Montreal.

Inglis opened his Montreal studio in 1866 and continued until he left for Chicago in 1885. He died in a terrible explosion caused while experimenting with magnesium flash powder.

Unfortunately, many of Inglis’s images and negatives have been lost and the story of his career remains a bit of a mystery.

The albumen cabinet card on offer is a bit light, yellowed, and flat in contrast, but is otherwise detailed and in good condition. The sturdy mount, embossed on the front, has a pencil inscription on the back that is indecipherable.

$395.00

Steven Evans  Vintage Photography