Gardiner Hand-Tinted Prints

A true distinction of Mackinac Island photographer William H. Gardiner’s work, and the one that would become his legacy, was the production of hand-tinted views. They were a charming keepsake for the early twentieth-century Mackinac Island visitor.

Hand-tinted scenic views were popularized in the United States by Wallace Nutting. Nutting’s hand-colored images of New England, Florida and Ireland often highlighted their archaic historical charm. They were very popular, and Nutting is known as the father of early twentieth-century hand colored photos. Numerous photographers across the country emulated the Nutting style, producing views of picturesque locals. Gardiner likely began producing his hand-colored photographs of Mackinac Island and Florida in the early twentieth century. The compositions closely resemble Nutting’s. Each was inscribed with the title and Gardiner’s signature “W. H. Gardiner” in pencil at the bottom. Gardiner’s son , Marshall, would produce the same type of images in Florida, Bermuda and Nantucket. Gardiner also marketed un-tinted images, both framed and unframed. He provided full photographic services and supplies from his Mackinac Island studio from 1896 until 1935.

The park publishes Picturesque Mackinac, chronicling island life between 1896 - 1915 in over 250 Gardiner images.

Click on this image for ordering Picturesque Mackinac.