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Merl LaVoy photograph collection, 1930-1932
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- LaVoy, Merl.
- Title
- Merl LaVoy photograph collection
- Dates
- 1930-1932 (inclusive)19301932
- Quantity
- 1 box, (.5 linear feet)
- Collection Number
- UUS_P0601
- Summary
- The Merl LaVoy photograph colleciton consists of 125 images, mostly from a 1930 expedition to the remote Prayer Rock District on the Navajo Reservation in Northeast Arizona. The Prayer Rock expedition was an archaeological foray sponsored by Charles Bernheimer into some lesser known canyons around the Lukachukai Mountains. The photos show expedition members in ruins, the pack train, a few artifacts including a huge basket, and many ruin structures. Another portion of the photos focuses on the Native Americans in the area, with many close-ups of Puebloan potters, Navajo weavers, children, and sheepherders. Also included are scenes from Zion National Park's tunnel (probably at its official opening in 1930), reenactment scenes with many covered pioneer wagons, men with telescopes, and a Keystone view of a diver mid-air at the El Mirador Hotel in Palm Springs. World traveler and adventurer/photographer Merl LaVoy took the photographs.
- Repository
-
Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives Division
Special Collections & Archives
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
Logan, UT
84322-3000
Telephone: 4357978248
Fax: 4357972880
scweb@usu.edu - Access Restrictions
-
No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Merl LaVoy (1886-1953) was a prolific photographer and film maker for the British Pathe news service. An adventurer and world traveler, he is particularly known for his photos and film footage of World War I, China in the 1920s and 1930s, two Mount McKinley climbing expeditions in 1910 and 1912, and of indigenous peoples from around the world. LaVoy grew up in Oregon, although he listed Seattle as his hometown until the 1920s.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The Merl LaVoy photograph colleciton consists of 125 images, mostly from a 1930 expedition to the remote Prayer Rock District on the Navajo Reservation in Northeast Arizona. The Prayer Rock expedition was an archaeological foray sponsored by Charles Bernheimer into some lesser known canyons around the Lukachukai Mountains. Earl Morris, John Wetherill, Charles Bernheimer, Zeke Johnson, Clarence Rogers, Glen Owens, John Hanley and others collected, took photographs, and documented their findings in the area. The photos show expedition members in ruins, the pack train, a few artifacts including a huge basket, and many ruin structures. Another portion of the photos focuses on the Native Americans in the area, with many close-ups of Puebloan potters, Navajo weavers, children, and sheepherders. Also included are scenes from Zion National Park's tunnel (probably at its official opening in 1930), reenactment scenes or a movie set with many covered pioneer wagons, men with telescopes, and a Keystone view of a diver mid-air at the El Mirador Hotel in Palm Springs. Some of the images were probably taken at the Zuni Pueblo.
World traveler and adventurer/photographer Merl LaVoy took the photographs (Mostly 5" x 7") which include eight Keystone View Company published stereographs.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.
Permission to publish material from the Merl LaVoy must be obtained from the Special Collections Photograph Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.
Preferred Citation
Initial Citation: USU_P0601; Merl LaVoy photograph collection; Photograph Collections Special Collections and Archives. Utah State University Merrill-Cazier Library. Logan, Utah.
Following Citations:USU_P0601, USUSCA.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 1 | 1 | 1-01-01 through 1-01-03: Images from a movie set or reenactment, men dressed as Native Americans and covered wagons. Keystone stereo-views. | 1930-1932 |
| 1 | 2 | 1-02-01 through 1-02-02: Bisbee, Arizona(?) - Diver mid-air at the El Mirador Hotel in Palm Springs. Keystone stereo-view. | 1930-1932 |
| 1 | 3 | 1-03-01 through 1-03-07: Wetherill, Morris, and Bernheimer among the ruins. | 1930-1932 |
| 1 | 4 | 1-04-01 through 1-04-11: Bernheimer among ruins. | 1930-1932 |
| 1 | 5 | 1-05-01 through 1-05-11: Bernheimer and the expedition among ruins. | 1930-1932 |
| 1 | 6 | 1-06-01 through 1-06-13: Female Pueblo pottery maker. Keystone stereo-view. | 1930-1932 |
| 1 | 7 | 1-07-01 through 1-07-09: Pueblo Indians, making jewelry(?).
Image 1-07-03 shows a man at the Zuni Pueblo.
|
1930-1932 |
| 1 | 8 | 1-08-01 through 1-08-11: Navajo Indian women, weaving. | 1930-1932 |
| 1 | 9 | 1-09-01 through 1-09-07: Navajo Indian women and children, weaving. Keystone stereo-view. | 1930-1932 |
| 1 | 10 | 1-10-01 through 1-10-10: Bernheimer and the expedition, men eating under a tree. | 1930-1932 |
| 1 | 11 | 1-11-01 through 1-11-10: Images of the expedition, camping.
Images 1-11-10 and 1-11-09 show, left to right, Earl Morris, Clarence Rogers, Bernheimer, Johnson, Glen Owens, John Hanley, and unknown
man (probably Native American guide).
|
1930-1932 |
| 1 | 12 | 1-12-01 through 1-12-02: Men with telescopes or some kind of photographic apparatus. | 1930-1932 |
| 1 | 13 | 1-13-01 through 1-13-12: Expedition members including Johnson, Bernheimer, and Morris, Indian men with sheep on the side of a cliff. | 1930-1932 |
| 1 | 14 | 1-14-01 through 1-14-14: Scenic views. | 1930-1932 |
| 1 | 15 | 1-15-01 through 1-15-03: Offical opening of Zion National Park tunnel(?). | 1930 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Indians of North America--Social life and customs--Photographs.
Personal Names
- Bernheimer, Charles L. (Charles Leopold), 1864-1944--Travel--Southwest, New--Photographs.
- LaVoy, Merl.
Corporate Names
- Navajo Tribe--History--Photographs.
Geographical Names
- Arizona--Description and travel-Photographs.
- Navajo Mountain Region (Utah and Ariz.)-Photographs.
- Prayer Rock Region (Ariz.)--Antiquities--Photographs.
Finding aid/Register created by Daniel Davis
2016
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
