Ralph R. Doubleday became the first name in rodeo photography after his photo of what is believed to be the first action shot of a man in midair, off a bronc at Cheyenne Frontier Days in 1910. For more than 40 years, Doubleday traveled across the country shooting rodeos and making picture postcards documenting rodeos golden age. Through his photography R.R. Doubleday had won for rodeo in its early period recognition as one of America’s leading spectator sports. His legacy is the captioned imagery of cowboys, cowgirls, venues, and livestock instrumental inlaying the foundation for professional rodeo. Housed in the Dickinson Research Center here at the museum, the Doubleday Collection contains more than 4,000 photographic negatives and over 424 photographic postcards.
For more information on Ralph R. Doubleday, visit the Dickinson Research Center.
