Portland - early 1880's era baseball tintype; Multnomah County, Oregon.

This tintype originated in an album from Oregon which contained 19th century Oregon CDV's and tintypes. Many of the CDV's had Buchtel photographer backmarks and appear to show two brothers, including in baseball and fire uniforms.

Joseph Buchtel (1830-1916) - an acquaintance of President Lincoln - was one of Portland's earliest photographers, Portland's first fire chief, and helped to begin and organize the first baseball teams in Oregon, including the Portland Pioneer Club in 1866 and the Willamettes of East Portland in 1884 (he was known for being able to throw underhand to second base while facing home plate).

Joseph's younger brother, Samuel Buchtel (d. 1901), followed him into the photography business in Portland beginning in the early 1880's. Samuel helped form the Wide-Awake Baseball Club in 1867 and was its captain.

Joseph had seven children, including sons Albert Z. (1857-1880), Frank S. (1861-1901), Fred G. (1878-1967), and Archie L. (1867-1961). Frank is known to have played for the Portland teams Stars and Willamettes in the 1880s.

Given the album's Oregon images, the baseball and fireman content, the Buchtel backmarks, and the prominence of the Buchtels in Portland's early baseball teams and fire department, it is believed that this tintype originates from the Buchtel family and shows members of an early Oregon baseball team.

A cropped version focusing on those pictured is separately presented.