This is an excellent Stereo card of cowboys on horseback herding buffaloes on the range. It was made by N. A. Forsyth of Butte, Montana and is from 1906 to 1908. This card is titled "Last Buffalo Chase in America." and is from his “Buffalo” series. The Montana Historical Society Research Center Archives, Helena, Montana lists this view as number 42 in their collection of 561 Stereographs taken by N. A. Forsyth from circa 1901 to circa 1911. This view is in excellent condition with wear to the mount and what looks like an old rubber band stain on the back. It measures 3 1/2" by 7”. The back of the card is printed with “Published by N. A. Forsyth. 120 N. Mont. St., Butte, Mont.” (120 North Montana Street, Butte, Montana). Norman A. Forsyth was a photographer who operated a studio out of Butte, Montana, from 1904-1930. While in college, Forsyth began selling stereo cards and viewers door-to-door for Underwood and Underwood. After graduating from college, Forsyth relocated to Butte, Montana and worked as a tour guide and stage driver in Yellowstone National Park for five summers. Forsyth purchased a stereo camera and captured Yellowstone views which he then sold to Underwood and Underwood. He began operating a photographic studio in Butte in 1904 as the sole agent for Underwood and Underwood in Montana, selling views under his imprint as well. Forsyth developed a close friendship with Charles M. Russell, and both followed the last buffalo roundup in Montana. The two were guests of a group of Canadian peace officers who assisted in driving 800 head of bison purchased from Michel Pablo of Ronan, Montana, north to Canada. Forsyth captured Stereographic views and Russell painted numerous pieces over three summers of the roundup (1906-1908). Forsyth photographed Butte, Montana (including street scenes, Columbia Gardens, and mining), Glacier National Park, the activities of the 1906-1908 Bison roundup, family groups of Montana Indian tribes (including the Flathead, Cree, Crow, and Blackfeet) (ca. 1906 - ca. 1908), and Indian dances and ceremonies including the Sun Dance, Choosing Dance and Grass Dance of the Blackfeet tribe and the Crow Fair. Other subjects included Anaconda, Montana; farms and ranching; lumber; the 1908 Missoula, Montana, flood; Cromwell Dixon and the 1911 Montana State Fair; Morrison Cave, and Yellowstone National Park. In the early 1920’s, Underwood and Underwood sold their Stereograph business to the Keystone View Company and Forsyth transferred his operation to Keystone. In 1930, Forsyth moved to Dillon, Montana, and he continued to work for the Keystone Company until 1947, when he was diagnosed with kidney cancer. N. A. Forsyth passed away in his sleep on December 15, 1949. I will be listing more Stereoviews on a regular basis, so check back for more views. Don’t miss out!

Stereoviews or stereo cards have two nearly identical images mounted side by side. When looked at through a stereo viewer they give a three-dimensional image. Most popular from 1854 to 1938, they were produced in vast quantities, and many are of historical interest. They usually measure about 3 ½” by 7”.