1880s NATIVE AMERICAN APACHE INDIAN SCOUT SERGEANT DEKLAY CABINET CARD PHOTO

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Exceptionally rare and important, original 1880's Albumen Cabinet Card Photograph of Native American, White Mountain Apache U.S. Army Indian Scout Sergeant Deklay who served 34 years as an Army Scout at Fort Apache.This wonderful and exceptionally rare, period, Card Mount, Albumen Photograph measures approx. 4" by 6 1/4" and is mounted on its original Card Mount (overall size is 4 1/4" by 6 1/2"). The subject is identified in the negative simply as "An Apache Scout" but there is a period manuscript inscription on the back of the mount that reads "Deklay / Co. E Mounted Scouts Wht - Mountain Apache / Lieut. C. P. Johnson / Comdg Co. 1890". There s a second somewhat later pencil inscription that reads "Must have been written by my daddy (and then the inscription above is repeated). Although the Photograph is mounted over the photographer's credits the make of the photographer - Andrew Miller of Globe, Arizona Territory - is still readable.The Image features the young Western Apache Scout standing with his left foot on a rock and his right hand on a stump in the photographer's studio. He wears a cartridge belt and wide brimmed hat as well as what appears to be a medicine bag on a strap.Provenance: From the personal collection of West Point Graduate and United States 10th and 6th Cavalry Officer John Nelson Glass. John Nelson Glass graduated from West Point in 1878, after which he served with the 10th Cavalry of Buffalo Soldiers and then the Sixth Cavalry in the Arizona and New Mexico Territories during the Indian Wars. Surviving letters put him in Fort Apache in 1884. According to the West Point reunion notes of June 9, 1893, "Except at various times when he was in command of Indian scouts in the field, he was nearly always on duty with his troop, often commanding it...By his death the Army has lost an accomplished officer and good soldier, brave, faithful, and enduring in the performance of his duties." He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery.We have been trying to determine is John Nelson Glass was an African American and if he was the same black man named "John Glass" who served as Chief of the Apache Scouts at Fort Apache in the mid 1880's. Any help unraveling this mystery would be greatly appreciated!!While we were unable to find mush information about the Apache Scout named Deklay, we did find numerous references stating that he served at least 34 years and retired with a rank of Sergeant. There was another reference stating that Deklay was one of the Apache trackers used by General John "Black Jack" Pershing during the Mexican Border Expedition.This rare and wonderful, Native American Apache Indian, Cabinet Card Photograph is in very good condition. The Photograph exhibits sharp focus, strong contrast and rich tonality. There is a small stain and an associated blob of some hardened substance at the upper right hand corner of the image as well as some scattered light foxing. The mount has soiling and some edge wear. We could find no original examples of this Cabinet card in any Library or Museum collection nor could we find any that had been recently offered for sale - we believe the Cabinet Card to be Exceptionally rare!!An exceptionally rare and fascinating, 1880's Cabinet Card Photo of Native American, White Mountain Apache & U.S. Army Indian Scout Sergeant Deklay and a fantastic addition to any collection!!!Be sure to check out this seller's other auctions for a number of Native American Apache Indian Cabinet Card Photographs which are also being offered for sale this week on eBay!!Overseasshippping is extra and cost will be quoted at bidders request. Massachusetts residents must add 6.25% sales tax.Please check out other early and interesting items offered by this seller on ebay. Important Notes about Shipping Charges:... read more

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