Print Size: 24"x36" 


Artist Commentary

In the late 1800's, buffalo had become an endangered species and were so limited in number that President Teddy Roosevelt and Congress decided to do something about the loss of an animal that served as a main food source for the Indian and the settlers moving West. They became protected by the park service and under these conditions started to flourish once more except for an occasional poacher that would sneak into this sanctuary and destroy one or more of these magnificent beasts.

The original art was dedicated to those "not so fainted hearted" individuals that had only seen these animals through the reproduction works of a camera and wanted the "first hand" experience of being there and catching a view of a buffalo in his own environment.

After Yellowstone Park was created on March 1, 1872, when President Grant signed it's formation into law, small groups began to visit the park. It wasn't until the early 1900's that larger parties, including ladies, began to make this trip. When the Old Faithful Inn opened it's doors in the spring of 1904, suitable accommodations were available and sight seeing tours began.

One of the great experiences was to have a contract teamster take a group to view the buffalo herd that was now becoming more visible in the area. This might require a lot of rough road and many dusty miles of riding in one of the wagons available at the time. When one sees the buffalo in the area today, it's hard to relate to a time when there were so few that you had to actually hunt them down. These tours were "limited liability" and the tourist took full responsibility for his or her presence in the area. Thus began the term "White Knuckle Tours" but the stories that were told by the "survivors" would be well worth the risk taken.

"White Knuckle Tours" was reproduced from an original oil (30"x48") and is limited to 850 signed and numbered lithographs with 85 artist proofs. It is printed on top quality 100% archival paper, pH neutral number 1 grade with an image size of 20"x32" with 2" trim. The plates have been destroyed after printing and there will be no subsequent reissues of the lithograph.

Gary Carter

West Yellowstone, Montana

June, 1988



White Knuckle Tours

SKU: white-knuckle
$120.00 Regular Price
$85.00Sale Price
