Scarce vintage matte-finish portrait photograph of Gold Rush-era author Bret Harte, by Walter Shaw of Camberley. The image measures 9" x 12" and is affixed to its original mount, with Harte neatly signing the lower border in ink, “Bret Harte.” Fine overall, with light, even silvering and a few small areas of toning/foxing to the mount. Harte is notably uncommon in signed photographs, particularly in this larger format, making this an especially desirable display piece.
Bret Harte (August 25, 1836 – May 5, 1902) was an American short story writer and poet best remembered for short fiction featuring miners, gamblers, and other romantic figures of the California Gold Rush, including the much-anthologized story 'The Outcasts of Poker Flat.' In a career spanning more than four decades, he also wrote poetry, plays, lectures, book reviews, editorials, and magazine sketches.
With One of a Kind Collectibles LOA.