[California, San Jose] An album of approx. 132 small format photographs

CALIFORNIA, San Jose. - John G. THOMPSON, of San Jose, California.

An album of approx. 132 small format photographs. [Undated except for presentation inscription, which reads (in part): ‘San Jose Cal. / Decr. 1905’]. Oblong quarto (6 7/8 x 10 ins; 178 x 254mm), the photos. range from 1 x 1 1/4in. to 5 ½ x 3 ¼ in. Original black cloth (some wear). Provenance: John G. Thompson (penciled presentation inscription on front pastedown “To My Brother / John G. Thompson, / From, / Viola. / San Jose Cal. / Dec. 1905.’).

An interesting quite early album – the majority of the images are family snapshots, but, incidentally include mining, an early water-shoot ride, farming, steam trains, a parade with floats, what is probably a 4th July construct: a painted-canvas clad U.S.S Utah on a pond in a park; and two images of the devastation in San Jose caused by the 18th April 1906 earthquake.