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George N. Moore photographs, circa 1870-1894

Overview of the Collection

Photographer
Moore, George N
Title
George N. Moore photographs
Dates
circa 1870-1894 (inclusive)
Quantity
35 photographic prints (1 box) ; sizes vary
Collection Number
PH0281
Summary
Portraiture and views of Pacific Northwest scenes from circa 1870-1885
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Access to the original photographs is restricted. See Visual Materials Curator for information. The entire collection is available on the digital site.

Request at UW

Languages
English
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Biographical Note

The Washington Territorial Census, taken in February 1885, has an entry for a photographer named George N. Moore, born in Massachusetts circa 1844. The Pacific Wave (former title of the University of Washington student newspaperThe Daily) contains an advertisement for George N. Moore's studio in Seattle "established 1870." This and other records show that Moore worked as a photographer in Seattle from 1870 to 1897. Seattle business directories show that Moore's studio from 1876-1878 was on Commercial Street. After 1878, until 1884, Moore's studio address is not listed. From 1884-1889, Moore's studio occupied 708 1/2 Front Street, in Sullivan's Block. In 1891, his business address was 17 Shorey Block, until the next year, when directories list his studio at 76 Hinckley Block from 1891-1894. Moore's last known business address in Seattle was at 48 Boston Block from 1895-1897. Moore's advertisements in Seattle publications often use descriptions such as "oldest and best photographer," and he advertises himself as a portrait artist (with crayons and water colors) and as a specialist in creating carte de visite , cabinet, and Victoria card photographs. The portraits taken by Moore do seem to indicate a certain level of prestige for his studio in early Seattle, as he photographed many of the city's most well-known and respected citizens in the pioneer days, includingSeattle Post-Intelligencerpublisher Charles Prosch, Judge Thomas Burke, and Father Prefontaine.

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Content Description

Photographs of Pacific Northwest scenes from the 1870s to 1890s, particularly in Seattle, and studio portraits of noteworthy Seattle individuals and others.

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Use of the Collection

Alternative Forms Available

View selections from the collection in digital format.

Restrictions on Use

Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.

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Administrative Information

Processing Note

Processed by Elizabeth Russell; completed in 2012.

Related Materials

The Prosch Seattle Views Photograph Albums, PH Coll 27, contains photographs of early Seattle by Moore.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

 

  • Moore Portrait Gallery

    • Description: Moore Photograph Gallery parlor

      It is unclear whether this is a Moore photograph parlor in Seattle or in Oakland, as photographer's stamp on verso reads: George Moore's Photograph Parlors. Oakland, Cal. 1161 Broadway 'bet. 13 & 14th.

      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 1
  • Studio Portraiture

    • Description: Judge Thomas Burke

      Thomas Burke (1849-1925), a lawyer, came to Seattle in 1875. He was a notable figure in early Seattle, serving as a probate judge from 1876-1880 and as Chief Justice of the Washington Territorial Supreme Court from 1888-1889. Burke steered many Seattle improvement projects to completion and advocated for the welfare of the poor and for Chinese immigrants. The Burke Museum and the Burke-Gilman Trail were named in Thomas Burke's honor.

      Dates: circa 1885
      Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 2
    • Description: Father William Duncan

      Father William Duncan (1832-1918), a lay missionary of the Church of England, was sent by the Church Missionary Society to Fort Simpson, British Columbia to convert the Tsimshian tribe. Conflicts arose between Father Duncan and his superiors in the Church Missionary Society, leading to his desire to separate from church authority. In 1887, he received permission from U.S. President Grover Cleveland to set up a new community for his Tsimshian converts at New Metlakatla on Annette Island, Alaska. Duncan remains a controversial figure in the history of the Tsimshian people.

      Dates: circa 1891-1894
      Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 3
    • Description: Judge Roger Sherman Greene

      Roger Sherman Greene (1840-1930) was Associate Justice on the Washington Territorial Supreme Court from 1870 to 1879. In 1880, Greene was appointed as Chief Justice and served on the Court in that position until March 1887. He unsuccessfully tried for a seat in Congress in 1888 and for the Washington State governorship in 1892, both times running as the Prohibition Party candidate.

      Dates: circa 1895-1897
      Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 4
    • Description: Richard Asbury Jones
      Dates: circa 1884-1889
      Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Item 5
    • Description: Father Francis Xavier Prefontaine

      Father Prefontaine (1838-1909), a French Canadian Catholic priest, arrived in Seattle in 1867. Prefontaine founded Seattle's first Catholic church, Our Lady of Good Help, on the corner of 3rd Avenue and Washington Street, which was dedicated in 1870.

      Dates: circa 1875-1884
      Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 6
    • Description: Charles Prosch

      Charles Prosch was a printer and newspaper publisher who arrived in the Pacific Northwest in 1855.

      Dates: circa 1891-1894
      Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 7
    • Description: James Scott

      Written on verso: James Scott, of Coupeville, attended the the university in 1872. Found dead in bed.

      Photograph probably collected by Edmond Meany.

      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 8
    • Description: Marie Tristi

      Inscription in French on verso from Marie Tristi to Caroline Burke (wife of Thomas Burke), dated October 1895.

      Dates: circa 1891-1895
      Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 9
    • Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 10
    • Dates: circa 1884-1889
      Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 11
    • Description: Young woman
      Dates: 1885
      Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Item 12
  • Pacific Northwest Views

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Geographical Names

  • Northwest, Pacific --Photographs
  • Seattle (Wash.) --Photographs

Form or Genre Terms

  • Cabinet photographs
  • Carte de visite photographs
  • Photographic prints

Other Creators

  • Personal Names

    • Moore, George N (photographer)

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Subject Terms

  • Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)
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