(NAVY.) Large group of professional naval photographs

(NAVY.) Large group of professional naval photographs by Enrique Muller and others. 78 photographs, most approximately 11 x 14 inches, 29 of them being approximately 7 x 9 inches, many of them silver prints, others being albumen or platinum prints; most unmounted, 5 mounted on board, condition generally strong, a few with closed tears or edge wear; most captioned in negative or in pencil on verso. Vp, 1891-1909 and undated

Enrique Muller (born circa 1846) emigrated from Germany to New York as a young man and became a prominent naval photographer by the 1890s, working mostly at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. His work was widely reproduced in postcard form, but his larger prints are rarely seen on the market. His son Robert Enrique Muller (1881-1921) eventually took over the business and also published three books about his work. 10 of the photographs in the collection bear Enrique Muller markings, either signed by him in the negative or with his inked stamp on verso, 1898-1901 and undated. Many or most of the remainder were later attributed to him when published as postcards. 5 of the photographs are credited to other photographers, and 3 of the photographs are of earlier engravings.

The large majority of the images are of United States Navy vessels from the general era of the Spanish-American War, some in stately side view and others from more dynamic angles. The Philadelphia-built Russian ship Retvizan makes a few appearances. A group photograph of Theodore Roosevelt with ten sailors is another exception.