John T. Wagness photographs

John T. Wagness photographs, approximately 1880-1900

Overview of the Collection

Photographer: Wagness, John T., 1858-1935
Title: John T. Wagness photographs
Dates: approximately 1880-1900 (inclusive)
18801900
Quantity: 39 photographic prints
32 negatives : glass
Collection Number: PH0562
Summary: The collection consists largely of studio portraits of unidentified men, women and children, circa 1890s
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: Entire collection can be viewed on the Libraries’ Digital Collections website. Permission of Visual Materials Curator required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.
Languages: English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

John Thorrald Wagness (1858-1935) immigrated to the United States from Ulvik, Norway in 1875. His last name was originally Viknes, which he changed to Wagness. He operated photography studios in Tacoma during the 1880s and 1890s before moving to Stanwood, Washington around 1901. He had three different studios located in Tacoma, Washington. His first studio was located on the corner of 121 South 11th Street (1888, 1890-91), his second studio was located at 947 South C Street (1892-96), and his last studio was located at 1128 Pacific Avenue (1897-1898). During 1896, he partnered with Edward A. Sather at the studio located at 947 South C Street. He was known for taking pictures of those hunting for gold in the Klondike during the gold rush of 1899. He died in Stanwood, where he also had a studio, in 1935.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection consists largely of prints and glass negatives of studio portraits of unidentified men, women and children.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Alternative Forms Available

View the digital version of the collection

Restrictions on Use

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

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Donated by Judith Halverson, February 8, 2011.

Processing Note

Processed by Vanessa Granger, 2018. Processed by Kaylynn Guerra, May 2019.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Photographs by John T. WagnessReturn to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box/Folder	item
1/1	1	Two telephone operators Scanned from glass plate negative.	between 1880 and 1900?
1/1	2	Men in a saloon Scanned from glass plate negative.	between 1880 and 1900?
1/1	3	Interior of a bank with a bank teller Scanned from glass plate negative.	between 1880 and 1900?
1/1	4	Four women, two men, and two dogs posing in front of the Stensons farm and residence, Norman, WA	between 1890 and 1915?
1/1	5	Group photograph of Stanwood High School football team Original item 20 is on reverse side of this item.	1915
1/1	6	Four working men and a horse-drawn timber cart Written on photo: "Loading Bolts" and Monson Stuen. Original item 25 is on reverse side of this item.	between 1901 and 1915
1/1	7	Large group gathered in front of house Original item 36 is on reverse side of this item.	between 1901 and 1915

Portraits from Studio located at 947 C Street, Tacoma, WAReturn to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box/Folder	item
1/2	8	Studio portrait of a young girl standing next to a rocking chair	1889?
1/2	9	Studio portrait of a woman standing next to small table	between 1892 and 1896
1/2	10	Studio portrait of a man standing on fur rug wearing a bowler hat	between 1892 and 1896
1/2	11	Studio portrait of a man wearing black tie with tie pin	between 1892 and 1896
1/2	12	Studio portrait of a man wearing striped tie with tie pin	between 1892 and 1896
1/2	13	Studio portrait of a man with flowers on right lapel	between 1892 and 1896

Portraits from Studio at 11th & Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WAReturn to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box/Folder	item
1/3	14	Studio portrait of a woman seated in a chair resting her arm on side table	between 1897 and 1898
1/3	15	Studio portrait of John T. Wagness	between 1897 and 1898
1/3	16	Studio portrait of a wedding couple with the woman holding small bouquet	between 1897 and 1898
1/3	17	Studio portrait of a wedding couple, the groom has flowers on lapel	between 1897 and 1898
1/3	18	Studio portrait of a wedding couple with the bride sitting	between 1897 and 1898
1/3	18a	Studio portrait of young woman with scroll and foliage design	between 1897 and 1898

Portraits from Studio located in Stanwood, WAReturn to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box/Folder	item
1/4	19	Studio portrait of two women sitting on a bench, both are wearing leather gloves and hats	between 1901 and 1915
1/4	20	Studio portrait of a young girl standing on a chair with flowers in her hand The original is located on reverse side of item 5.	between 1901 and 1915
1/4	21	Studio portrait of a woman posing next to a hay bale Written on verso: Ella.	between 1901 and 1915
1/4	22	Studio portrait of a woman leaning on a chair wearing a white dress and black hair bow	between 1901 and 1915
1/4	23	Studio portrait of five seated women	between 1901 and 1915
1/4	24	Studio portrait of a wedding couple standing behind a small table with flowers	between 1901 and 1915
1/4	25	Studio portrait of a young boy standing on a chair and holding a bell The original is located on reverse side of item 6.	between 1901 and 1915
1/5	26	Studio portrait of a young boy wearing striped shirt standing against a wooden rail	between 1901 and 1915
1/5	27a	Studio portrait of the oldest Wagness boys from left to right in the back row Clarence and Bernard, in front are Ivan and John L.	between 1901 and 1915
1/5	27b	Studio portrait of a woman wearing a dark hat and fur collar Item 27b is on the reverse side of 27a.	between 1901 and 1915
1/5	28	Studio portrait of a woman wearing a white lace blouse, dark hair bow, and a square necklace pendant	between 1901 and 1915
1/5	29	Studio portrait of a woman in flowered hat and blouse Written on verso: Agnes.	between 1901 and 1915
1/5	30	Studio portrait of a woman wearing a black blouse and skirt and white lace collar	between 1901 and 1915
1/6	31	Studio portrait of a young girl standing on a chair in a white dress	between 1901 and 1915
1/6	32-33	Studio portrait of a woman wearing a dark jacket with leaf applique	between 1901 and 1915
1/6	34	Studio portrait of a woman in profile wearing black blouse with a small chain attached to her white neck collar	between 1901 and 1915
1/6	35	Studio portrait of an older woman wearing all black and holding a black clutch purse	between 1901 and 1915
1/6	36	Studio portrait of a man and woman, the woman is wearing light-colored blouse and skirt and the man is wearing a dark suit The original is located on reverse side of item 7.	between 1901 and 1915

Portraits from Unknown Studio LocationReturn to Top

Container(s)		Description	Dates
Box/Folder	item
1/7	37	Studio portrait of a wedding couple, the bride and groom both holding gloves	between 1890 and 1915?
1/7	38	Studio portrait of a young girl holding a small puppy and black dog posing on hind legs	between 1890 and 1915?
1/7	39	Studio portrait of a woman wearing a white blouse with white lace neck collar	between 1890 and 1915?
1/7	40	Studio portrait of a woman wearing a high-collared blouse with black button accents and black skirt	between 1890 and 1915?
1/7	41	Studio portrait of a woman seated with her right arm resting on a pillow	between 1890 and 1915?
1/7	42-44	Studio portrait of man Scanned from glass plate negatives.	between 1880 and 1915?
1/7	45	Studio portrait of two men and two women with an Asian umbrella Scanned from glass plate negative.	between 1880 and 1915?
1/7	46	Studio portrait of two women with cigarettes Scanned from glass plate negative.	between 1880 and 1915?
1/7	47	Studio portrait of three men drinking Scanned from glass plate negative.	between 1880 and 1915?
1/7	48	Studio portrait of man standing behind a bench Scanned from glass plate negative.	between 1880 and 1915?
1/7	49	Studio portrait of a woman in furs with elaborate hat Scanned from glass plate negative.	between 1880 and 1915?
1/7	50	Studio portrait of a man in overalls on a hay bale Scanned from glass plate negative.	between 1880 and 1915?
1/7	51	Studio portrait of small boy with toy bugle Scanned from glass plate negative.	between 1880 and 1915?
1/7	52	Studio portrait of two young women standing near a small table Scanned from glass plate negative.	between 1880 and 1915?
1/7	53	Studio portrait of a boy with one foot on a chair Scanned from glass plate negative.	between 1880 and 1915?
1/7	54	Studio portrait of a family with three young children Scanned from glass plate negative.	between 1880 and 1915?
1/7	55	Studio portrait of man with an unusual hairstyle Scanned from glass plate negative.	between 1880 and 1915?
1/7	56	Studio portrait of man with a small dog and a gun Scanned from glass plate negative.	between 1880 and 1915?
1/7	57	Studio portrait of young woman with flowers Scanned from glass plate negative.	between 1880 and 1915?
1/7	58	Studio portrait of a family with three young children and three adults Scanned from glass plate negative.	between 1880 and 1915?
1/7	59-60	Studio portrait of small child with a toy Scanned from glass plate negative.	between 1880 and 1915?
1/7	61	Studio portrait of a young man seated in a chair Scanned from glass plate negative.	between 1880 and 1915?
1/7	62	Studio portrait of a woman wearing a hat and holding roses Scanned from glass plate negative.	between 1880 and 1915?
1/7	63	Studio portrait of a young man standing next to a small table Scanned from glass plate negative.	between 1880 and 1915?
1/7	64	Studio portrait of a woman with a bicycle Scanned from glass plate negative.	between 1880 and 1915?
1/7	65	Studio portrait of a baby in a stroller decorated with American flags Scanned from glass plate negative.	between 1880 and 1915?
1/7	66	Studio portrait of a man sitting in a chair and a woman wearing a long veil Scanned from glass plate negative.	between 1880 and 1915?
1/7	67	Studio portrait of a baby in a stroller Scanned from glass plate negative.	between 1880 and 1915?
1/7	68	Studio portrait of an older couple Scanned from glass plate negative.	between 1880 and 1915?
1/7	69	Studio portrait of a bride and groom Scanned from glass plate negative.	between 1880 and 1915?
1/7	70	Studio portrait of a young girl holding a parasol Scanned from glass plate negative.	between 1880 and 1915?
1/7	71	Studio portrait of man with a pipe and shotgun standing behind a hay bale and a dog	between 1880 and 1915?
1/7	72	Studio portrait of Mary Lee Wagness Written on verso: Wife of John T. Wagness.	between 1880 and 1915?

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