Mulberry Street, New York. Anonymous/Collection Marc Walter/Courtesy TASCHEN
Some of the very first color photographs of North America taken in the late 19th and early 20th century are among the highlights of the archives of the Detroit Photographic Company.
They have been compiled in a 612-page book called An American Odyssey, which is co-authored by documentarian Sabine Arqué and graphic designer and photographer Marc Walter, who owns one of the world’s largest collections of vintage travel photography.
Published by Cologne-based art book publisher Taschen, the book contains photographs taken from Walter’s private collection, and features some of the United States’ most iconic landmarks rendered in stunningly brilliant color.
The original black-and-white negatives were developed using a photolithographic technique called the Photochrom process, imbuing them with gorgeous hues and tones that bring scenes from turn-of-the-century America to life.
Taken between 1888 and 1924, the majority of the images came from the camera of William Henry Jackson, a Civil War veteran.
Significant with history, they are a marvelous time capsule of America’s past and a fantastic journey through its people and places, from the street scenes of Manhattan and Native American settlements, to the majestic Grand Canyon and the beautiful nature of Yosemite National Park.
View some of the amazing photographs below and find out more about the book here.
Sunset from the Battery, New York. Anonymous/Collection Marc Walter/Courtesy TASCHEN
Grand Canyon, view from O’Neill’s Point. Image by William Henry Jackson/Collection Marc Walter/Courtesy TASCHEN
Portland Head Light, Maine. Anonymous/Collection Marc Walter/Courtesy TASCHEN
Mariposa Grove, “The Three Graces”, Yosemite National Park, California. Anonymous/Collection Marc Walter/Courtesy TASCHEN
Apache Chief James A. Garfield. Collection Marc Walter/Courtesy TASCHEN
Mount Lowe Railway, on the circular bridge, California. Image by William Henry Jackson/Collection Marc Walter/Courtesy TASCHEN
Zuni Pueblo Indians, the Rain Dance, New Mexico. Image by William Henry Jackson/Collection Marc Walter/Courtesy TASCHEN
[via My Modern Met, LIFE and The Atlantic Cities, images by Collection Marc Walter/Courtesy TASCHEN]