Edward and Benjamin West Kilburn began their careers as a supplier of views of the White Mountains and New Hampshire scenery in the 1860ís. The brothers quickly expanded and by 1869 had a large plant with many titles for sale. When Edward Kilburn retired, Benjamin took over full operations including all photography. James M. Davis became associated with B. W. Kilburn in the early 1880ís and was in charge of distribution. He also acted as a photographer. Davis took over most of the day to day operations after 1901. The Kilburn Company never issued boxed sets, which may have been a reason for the company's decline. When it ceased operations in 1909, the company had produced 17,000 views and nearly 100,000 glass negatives (many variations exist for most prints). At that time the collection passed to the Keystone View Company.
The Yellowstone history of this company has a few puzzles, but the distribution is pretty straightforward. Simply put, there were two series with multiple printings. The first was the 4,000 series of 1886 and the second, the 10,000 series of 1896. Though the actual dates of the photographs is unclear in many cases.
The 4,000 series had three printings. They are numbered from 4246-4295, continuous. One printing has the Kilburn credit on the right side of the view, one has a lengthy informative text about the "act of Congress" on the right side, and one has no credit at all on the obverse.
The 10,000 series appears to have had two printings. One has the James Davis credit on the obverse, and one does not. Numbering is from 10577-10611 and is also continuous.
Three views numbered 4214, 4218 and 4220 are likely part of a general United States series and thus donít fit in sequence with the other Yellowstone views of that era.
4246. Yellowstone National Park, Upper Geyser Basin.
4274. Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park.
4282. The Pulpits, Yellowstone National Park. U.S.A.
Kilburn Brothers 4000 Series Verso
B. W. Kilburn 4000 Series Verso
10577. Bee Hive Geyser, Yellowstone National Park.
10594. Great Falls, Yellowstone National Park.
B. W. Kilburn 10000 Series Verso