Asahel Curtis – Sunset over Puget Sound, 1903

The item shown here is a stunning hand-tinted photo by photographer Asahel Curtis, which features a sunset over Puget Sound with Mount Rainier in the background. The photo is immaculate – the bat-wing / piecrust frame is original and is in great condition, as is the backing and the glass.

This photo is unique for several reasons. For one, it is very old (1903) and while it is related to other items in the collection (see Asahel Curtis negative number 4504), it does not carry a negative serial number. Second, it is of unusual size – the photo measures 8 x 13 inches without the frame, and 10.5 by 16 with the frame, which is uncommon in Asahel Curtis’ work.

The photo is spectacular and it was acquired in 2016. It is definitely one of the oldest items by Asahel Curtis in the collection, and is one of my most personal favorite photos.

Asahel Curtis hand-tinted photo – Sunset over Puget Sound – 1903