Album containing 33 sheets, 6 x 9 inches through 2½ x 5½ inches, with sketches and watercolors of views, scenes and portraits, 1886-1887, Album containing 33 sheets, 6 x 9 inches through 2½ x 5½ inches, with sketches and watercolors of views, scenes and portraits, 1886-1887, by J. Bridgham, signed ("J.B." & "J. Bridgham"), tipped to album leaves, some with edgewear and creases, but generally excellent.

A fascinating album of watercolors and sketches by J. Bridgham done on his travels through the West in 1887 and during his visit to Fort Marion in St. Augustine, Florida in 1886. The most interesting group is certainly the 8 portraits of Apache Indians being held prisoner at Fort Marion (Castillo de San Marcos) in St. Augustine. These were the Apaches that surrendered along with Geronimo in Arizona that same year. Bridgham explains on the verso of one of the watercolors that he was allowed to visit the Fort by the courtesy of a Captain Brown. Among the Apache subjects is Chirichua Apache leader Nana (Kas-tziden). Bridgham relates a story about Nana on the verso: "This chief was very brutal & his last deed before capture was to kill a woman & tie her two children to his saddle by a long lasso & gallup across the country then killing them." He also states: "We got a photograph of this man." Another portrait depicts an Apache squaw on the verso of which Bridgham relates an episode about how his wife, who had accompanied him, made a trade with the squaw and how she later decided that she was cheated and had to be restrained from attacking Mrs. Bridgham.
Bridgham was in Santa Barbara, California in 1887 during the Centennial Celebration and captured 7 watercolors or sketches of colorfully-dressed vaqueros parading, posing, or in action; also included is a portrait of a nun and several Sunday School children following her, as well as view of the mountains and canyons around the area.
The remaining views include the Humboldt Sink in Nevada and the plains nearby, Green River, Wyoming, scenes in the Arizona desert, a portrait of "an old squaw" in Arizona, and other unidentified views. Bridgham is a skilled amateur and his renderings include much of interest.