Herman Brince (1831-1882) was photographer of Lassen, Modoc and Plumas Counties during the late 1870s. He is a person of interest to me, I appreciate the photographs he took, though I have only see about a half dozen. Newspaper accounts stated he was quite active in taking local scenes.
For instance, Brince first arrived on the scene in the summer of 1878 to set up a studio at Prattville, now Lake Almanor. He took an expedition in what would later became Lassen Park. He set as a base camp at Malgin’s Sheep Camp, known today as Drakesbad. He created a portfolio on 25 images that trip. He sold those images at his studio at Prattville. I have not been able to locate them. Of note, these were probably some of earliest photographs in the park.
In 1879, Brince relocated to Susanville. His photographic scenes were well documented in the newspaper, yet only a few are known to exist. This pattern repeats itself during his forays in Modoc County. In 1881, he pulled up stakes and went to Australia. He died in September 1882 at Dunedin, New Zealand.
In September 2025, a distant relative Dr. Ron Brinitzer sent this information: Herrman Brince was born as Heimann Brinitzer on 01. November 1831 to Samuel Brinitzer and Rosel Aufrichtig probably in Colonie Dupine or Paulsdorf close to Landsberg in Upper Silesia as oldest son into a Jewish family. He had three younger siblings: Caroline, Hirsch (or Herman) and Louis. In 1844 his mother died and his father remarried to Bertha Matzdorf with whom he had another 12 children (at least the ones I know of), among them Max (born in 1851) and Laura (born in 1861). Hirsch/Hermann is my direct ancestor. Louis emigrated to the US as well around 1869 with his wife Auguste and their daughter Rosalie where he worked as a tinsmith. He changed his name into Brince as well.
Excellent article and amazing history of the photographer. Have always liked the early Masonic photo. It would be incredible if you could locate those early pre-Lassen Park photos. Thanks for sharing.