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Beautiful and seldom-seen antique hand-colored landscape photograph by noted American photographer Charles Henry Sawyer (1868–1954), titled “Echo Lake,” depicting one of New Hampshire’s most picturesque locations in Franconia Notch, in the heart of the White Mountains.
This lovely scene captures Echo Lake surrounded by brilliant autumn foliage, with colorful trees reflected in the calm water and mountains rising in the distance. Sawyer’s delicate hand-coloring brings the landscape to life with beautiful shades of pink, blue, gold, and rich autumn tones.
Charles Sawyer was celebrated for his hand-colored New England landscapes, combining photography with carefully applied color to create images with a soft, painterly quality. His work remains collectible, particularly among admirers of early American photography and White Mountains scenery.
What makes this example especially desirable is its remarkable preservation and original presentation.
The photograph retains its original-looking, understated wood frame, which complements the artwork beautifully. The reverse features aged brown studio backing paper, the handwritten title “Echo Lake,” and the original “The Sawyer Pictures, Concord, New Hampshire” studio label with instructions for caring for the photograph.
The Sawyer signature appears in the lower right portion of the image.
Unlike many antique hand-colored photographs that have faded over time, this example retains particularly vivid coloring and wonderful detail. Examples of this specific Echo Lake composition appear difficult to find, especially in comparable condition.
Condition: Excellent antique condition overall. The hand-coloring remains bright and attractive, with no obvious significant fading. The frame shows minor age-appropriate wear. The original-looking brown backing paper remains intact, with some expected wear along the edges. Please review all photographs as part of the description.
Dimensions: 17” wide x 14” high, including frame.
A beautiful piece of New Hampshire history and early American photographic art. Particularly appealing to collectors of Charles Sawyer, antique hand-colored photographs, White Mountains memorabilia, and vintage New England landscapes.
A wonderful opportunity to acquire a beautifully preserved example of Sawyer’s work in its period presentation.
