Born in New York state in 1869, Norman A . Forsyth was one of the more famous Montana photographers during the later stereoview era of post-1900. He operated out of his Butte studios from the late 1880’s for over 50 years until the early 1940’s. As a stereoview producer, Forsyth is mainly known for his boxed sets. They were usually in groups of 30 on curved, gray mounts with a thin division between the two photos. Some of his more famous subjects were Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, the Montana cities of Butte and Missoula, many mining views, flood views, rounding up buffaloes, Morrison Caves, Indians, etc. Forsyth was also an agent for Underwood and Underwood from 1885-1923 and then the Keystone View Company from 1923-1947. For them he covered Montana, Wyoming and Nebraska. His total stereoview production under his own name was well over 600 views.

Forsyth's Yellowstone views are very straightforward. The more common views are part of his Yellowstone boxed sets. There were two sets, with essentially the same numbering, but with title variations. He also produced some Yellowstone views as part of an animal set he released. Another set of Wyoming views included scenes from the Tetons and the Shoshone Canyon near Cody. Not as well known are Forsyth’s rare cabinet mounts of Yellowstone. They are from very early in his career and the views are from original Forsyth negatives. They appear to be from the late 1880’s or early 90’s. Very of these views exist in private collections, as their original print run must have been quite small.

3 Fort Yellowstone and Mt. Everts

Shoshone Canyon and Dam, Wyoming.

Bighorn Sheep and Blacktail Deer in Yellowstone.