View in the Grand Canyon of the Arkansas

[Denver], 1895. Large format. Albumen photograph [24 cm x 18 cm] / [9.5" x 7"] on a tan mount [25 cm x 20 cm] / [10" x 8"] Title gilt in the negative. Strong contrasts. Faint discoloring at the upper right corner. Nice view of the Arkansas River and Royal Gorge with Denver & Rio Grande grade running the right side. We believe this to be a George L. Beam. George Lytle Beam (1868-1935) is best known for his images of the Denver & Rio Grande (D&RG) railroad and the landscapes of the American West. He served as the official company photographer for the D&RG for over 30 years, documenting the railroad and the scenery along its routes. The Denver & Rio Grande was founded by the visionary General William Palmer in 1870 as the nation's first narrow-gauge railroad, Colorado's 'Baby Road' became a vital link in the national transportation system. The D&RGW went through the Rockies - not around them - developing resources, fighting corporate wars, and helping build communities.