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Theodore E. Peiser photographs, approximately 1874-1905

Overview of the Collection

Photographer
Peiser, Theodore E.
Title
Theodore E. Peiser photographs
Dates
approximately 1874-1905 (inclusive)
Quantity
236 photographic prints (2 boxes plus 1 oversize folder) ; various sizes
Collection Number
PH0282
Summary
Photographs of Seattle featuring street scenes, important monuments and buildings, events, portraits of various people, faculty, students, and buildings of the Territorial University of Washington and University of Washington, Fort Lawton during the China Relief Expedition, among other topics
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

Permission of Visual Materials Curator is required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.

Languages
English
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Biographical Note

Theodore E. Peiser, known as one of the first professional photographers in the Seattle area, was born in California in 1853 and moved to Washington in 1883, becoming an active photographer from 1883 to circa 1907 when he became too ill to continue working. One of the first photographers to capture early scenes of Seattle streets and early communities, his original photography studio on 2nd Avenue was destroyed in the Great Seattle Fire of June, 1889, along with the vast majority of his photographs and negatives. He subsequently moved his photography studio to a number of different locations in the city: 1516 1/2 Front Street (1894), 2010 Western Avenue (1901), 2406 1/2 6th Avenue (1905), and 415 Eitel Building (1906). On March 10, 1907, The Seattle Daily Times included a column detailing Peiser's deteriorating health - suffering from bronhitis and asthma, he moved back to California per doctor's orders to move to a different climate. He died in California on February 11, 1922.

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Content Description

The bulk of the collection contains photographs of Seattle between the 1800s-1900s, heavily featuring Seattle street scenes, important monuments and buildings, events in Seattle, portraits of various people, faculty, students, and buildings of the Territorial University of Washington and University of Washington, and Fort Lawton during the China Relief Expedition. The collection also includes photographs of the Olympic Peninsula, featuring Port Gamble and Port Ludlow, as well as the Snoqualmie region, featuring hop fields and Snoqualmie Falls.

The largest series contains photos of Fort Lawton, Seattle, during the China Relief Expedition which was an international coalition composed of eight countries (known as the Eight-Nation Alliance) in an effort to rescue United States citizens and European nationals from the later years of the Chinese Boxer Rebellion. The expedition lasted from 1898 to 1901 and the United States contributed troops in 1900-1901. "The Hiker" monument in Woodland Park, Seattle, is dedicated to soldiers who fought in various wars, including the China Relief Expedition. For more on Fort Lawton, see Magnolia Historical Society (http://www.magnoliahistoricalsociety.org/blog/2012/06/snapshot-in-time-summing-up-fort-lawton/).

The University of Washington was formerly known as the Territorial University of Washington and was located where the Olympic Hotel currently stands on University Street, Seattle. The university was moved to the new campus and became the University of Washington in the 1890s. For more information on each campus, see UW Special Collections history of the the university (http://www.lib.washington.edu/specialcollections/collections/exhibits/site/early).

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Use of the Collection

Alternative Forms Available

View 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

Arrangement

Arranged in 6 series.

  • Olympic Peninsula
  • Seattle
  • People
  • Fort Lawton, Seattle, during China Relief Expedition
  • Landscapes
  • Ships

Acquisition Information

Donor: Ames Collection (items 16a, 17-18, 20-22, 24, 26b, 43a, 55, 101-104, 114, 116, 210, 211, 215, 217)

Donor: C. Bagley Estate (items 1-6, 9a-10b, 11-15, 28, 213-214, 216)

Donor: C.T. Conover Collection (items 51, 54, 57, 60, 90a, 112)

Donor: Eastern Washington State Historical Society, 1986 (items 23, 26a)

Donor: Edmond S. Meany (items 32, 34, 36a, 37a, 38a, 40-41, 42b, 62-67, 68-74, 76-78, 81, 119-127)

Donor: Leary Collection (items 39, 128)

Donor: Lee Collection (item 50)

Donor: Marshall P. McDonald, July 27, 1959 (items 108a-108b, 109-111)

Donor: Mrs. Edwin Dow, 1945 (item 97)

Purchase from R.G. Mattilor (item 87)

Donor: S.L. Crawford Collection (items 59, 118a-118b, 207b, 209)

Donor: T.W. Prosch Collection (item 144)

Donor: WSU Library, April, 1978 (item 132)

Processing Note

Processed by Michelle A. Shannon, June 2018

Separated Materials

Peiser photo 10045 was transferred to PH Coll. 1022 Mrs. Elmer Lenfest Photograph Collection.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

 

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Riots--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
  • Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)

Personal Names

  • Denny, Arthur Armstrong, 1822-1899--Homes and haunts--Photographs
  • Dollar, Robert, 1844-1932--Photographs
  • Yesler, Henry L. (Henry Leiter), 1810-1892--Homes and haunts--Photographs

Corporate Names

  • Territorial University (Wash.)--Photographs
  • University of Washington--Photographs

Geographical Names

  • China--History--Boxer Rebellion, 1899-1901
  • Port Gamble (Wash.)--Photographs
  • Port Ludlow (Wash.)--Photographs
  • Seattle (Wash.)--Photographs--19th century
  • Washington Territory--Photographs--19th century

Other Creators

  • Corporate Names

    • Washington Territory. National Guard--Photographs (photographer)


2009 (Last modified: 1/17/2025)

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