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Splendid Suite of Rocky Mountain Views: Georgetown and Denver

Alexander Martin was born in Scotland and was active in Colorado as a photographer from approximately 1874-1901. He operated photography galleries in various Colorado towns, including Boulder, Central City, Georgetown, and Denver. Most of the images are very sharp, with impressive detail, to the point of being able to read business signs on the building facades. Martin's photographic output was diverse and ranged from Denver street views, humorous views (see the Jack Frost image here), to remote locations in the Rocky Mountains.

The present series of Rocky Mountain scenes is notable for excellent views of Georgetown, Denver, and other places in Colorado. These photographs present something of the raw beauty and ruggedness of the region, from the bustling mining operations in Georgetown to the daily life in the growing city of Denver. Several images feature pack mules against the vast mountainous backdrop, showcased the opportunities and challenges of the West. Through his lens, Martin highlighted the allure of Colorado's landscapes.

The photographs are as follows, mostly transcriptions from captions in negative, with supplied descriptions in brackets:

1. [Windsor Hotel, Denver]
2. 8th Street, Denver, Colorado, north from Lawrence Street
3. Lawrence Street North from 13th Street
4. Georgetown, Colo.
5. Bridge at Devil's Gate, Georgetown, Colo. [Railroad on very high bridge]
6. Court House, Denver Colorado.
7. Green Lake. Georgetown, Colorado. [man in derby hat rowing boat in lake]
8. Mountain of the Holy Cross. Height 14,147 feet.
9. Whitter Mine, Griffith Mountain, Georgetown, Colo. [young miner with donkey at mine entrance]
10. State Capitol Building, Denver, Colorado [photograph of lithograph by Collier & Cleaveland, Denver]
11. The Colorado Ship of the Desert. Anchored in the Backbone of Gray's Peak [pack mule or donkey in high elevation mountain setting]
12. City Hall, Denver, Colorado [horse-drawn trolley car in front of City Hall]
13. [Railroad track view from train, looking down on mining town, likely Georgetown, Colorado]
14. Greenlake, Georgetown
15. On 16th Street, Denver Colo. [First National Bank, Hotel Brunswick, horse drawn carriages, people on sidewalk]
16. Idaho Springs, Colorado [bird's-eye view of town]
17. [A young miner poses with a group of pack mules loaded with mining tools, likely in a Georgetown street, several other people in background]
18. Derailed in a Hurricane, at Georgetown Colo. Feb: 4th 1885 [derailed train].
19. Fountain by the Court House, Denver
20. Jack Frost's Abode in the Rockies
21. Bridal Veil Falls, Georgetown, Colo.
22. Rocky Point, C.C.R.R. Beaver Brook.
23. Railroad - Georgetown to Silver Plume.

Rarity

The Denver Public Library houses a small collection of photographs by Alexander Martin. While Martin was a prolific photographer, and individual examples of his work turn up in the market from time to time, substantial and nice collections of his Colorado and Rocky Mountain scenes are scarce in such beautiful condition.