Signed, lower left, J. R. Willis, with the usual "J. R. Willis" initials and monogram. Dates from the photographers years in Gallup, New Mexico.

Photograph: 11 x 7 inches (279 x 177 mm). Frame: 12 5/8 x 8 5/8 inches (320 x 218 mm).

Excellent condition. Original frame and glass. Archival 4-ply backing board behind photograph. For historic correctness the photograph has been left pressed between the glass and the backing board and is in the original frame. Photographed and handcolored by J. R. Willis while he was still in Gallup, New Mexico, before moving to Albuquerque. The original J. R. Willis advertising tag on back, reads:

From the Studio of
J. R. Willis
Gallup,     New Mexico
Kodak Finishing            Eastman Kodaks
Curios, Art Goods and Picture Frames Made to Order.

A card attached to the original backing sheet reads: No. 42, THE CAMP FIRE, (Slau-ee-Nez, Navajo Indian). The hour of meditation comes to the Navajo about the lonely camp fire, reflecting on the coming of the white man , his experience a scout, the chase or other sport. The Navajo are nomadic Indians, dwelling in bee-hive-like huts made of mud and sticks, living entirely in the open. - Copyright by J. R Willis, Gallup, New Mexico.  

$500.00

"Hostine Ushklish Ah-Sun" (The Mud-man's wife) circa 1925, Handcolored Photograph.

Signed, lower right, J. R. Willis, with the usual "J. R. Willis" initials and monogram. Dates from the photographers years in Gallup, New Mexico.

Photograph: 7 x 11 inches (177 x 279 mm). Frame: 8 1/2 x 12 1/2 inches (216 x 317 mm).

Excellent condition. Original frame and glass. Archival 4-ply backing board behind photograph. For historic correctness the photograph has been left pressed between the glass and the backing board and is in its original frame. Lately, it has become somewhat "fashionable" to refer to J. R. Willis by his full name "Joseph Roy Willis." As of now I have never seen the artist himself use this full appellation in respect to his art. So I'll stick with J. R. Willis for now.  Probably photographed by Willis while he was in Gallup, New Mexico, and then printed and handcolored at a later date after he had moved to Albuquerque.

$500.00

Signed, lower right, J. R. Willis, with the usual "J. R. Willis" initials and monogram. Dates from the photographers years in Gallup, New Mexico.

Photograph: 11 x 7 inches (279 x 177 mm). Frame: 12 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches (317 x 216 mm).

Excellent condition. Original frame and glass. Archival 4-ply backing board behind photograph. For historic correctness the photograph has been left pressed between the glass and the backing board and is in the original frame. Photographed and handcolored by J. R. Willis while he was still in Gallup, New Mexico, before moving to Albuquerque. The original J. R. Willis advertising tag on back, reads:

From the Studio of
J. R. Willis
Gallup,     New Mexico
Kodak Finishing            Eastman Kodaks
Curios, Art Goods and Picture Frames Made to Order.

$500.00

Signed, lower right, J. R. Willis, with the usual "J. R. Willis" initials and monogram. Dates from the photographers years in Albuquerque or Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Photograph: 11 x 7 inches (279 x 177 mm). Frame: 12 3/4 x 8 3/4 inches (323 x 222 mm).

Excellent condition. Original frame and glass. Archival 4-ply backing board behind photograph. For historic correctness the photograph has been left pressed between the glass and the backing board and is in its original frame. Probably photographed by Willis while he was in Gallup, New Mexico, and then printed and handcolored at a later date after he had moved to Albuquerque or Santa Fe. Original framing sticker is still on the frame, it reads: Stationary Books and Gifts, J. F. Collins Company, Inc., Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Many of J. R Willis' photographs were eventually titled and made into postcards. The postcard caption for this piece was:

"Taking the Elevator in Hopiland. A most interesting scene of a tiny little Indian child ascending the ladder to his second story home. According to ancient custom, grain and other possessions are stored in the ground floor rooms, while the family lived above as protection against an enemy. This village, Old Walpi, high upon a rock mesa, is 512 ft. above the beautiful valley of Tusayan."

$500.00