Debra A. Webber Collection on Albert J. Hansen, circa 1914-1942

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Webber, Debra A.
Title
Debra A. Webber Collection on Albert J. Hansen
Dates
circa 1914-1942 (inclusive)
Quantity
19 photographs and 1 clipping
Collection Number
2002.35 (accession)
Summary
Photographs documenting the life and career of Seattle Police Officer Albert J. Hansen
Repository
Museum of History & Industry, Sophie Frye Bass Library

P.O. Box 80816
Seattle, WA
98108
Telephone: 2063241126 x102
library@mohai.org
Access Restrictions

The collection is open to the public by appointment.

Languages
English.

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Debra A. Webber is Albert J. Hansen's granddaughter.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection consists of studio portraits, group photographs and informal snapshots of Albert J. Hansen in police uniform. Images include Seattle street scenes and small snapshots of Albert and his fiancée Helen in humorous poses. The collection also includes views of Seattle landmark buildings, including the Medical and Dental Building, the Smith Tower and Orpheum Theater. A photocopied newspaper clipping from the Seattle Daily Times, November 23, 1922 includes a photograph of Albert J. Hansen being decorated at an outdoor ceremony for most courteous traffic officer.

Historical BackgroundReturn to Top

Albert Julius Hansen was born in Minneapolis in 1885, and moved to Seattle at age five. He and Helen Zeek were married on October 12, 1914. They had two daughters. Albert J. Hansen operated the Minneapolis Bakery in the Interbay area of Seattle before joining the Seattle Police Department in 1913 as a traffic enforcement officer. He retired from the department in 1941 after 27 years of service. He was a member of the Eagles, the Retired Police Association and the Ballard Old Timers. Albert J. Hansen died in Seattle in 1967.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Alternative Forms Available

View selections from the collection in digital format by clicking on the camera icons in the inventory below.

Restrictions on Use

The Museum of History & Industry is the owner of the materials in the Sophie Frye Bass Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from MOHAI before any reproduction use. The museum does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.

Preferred Citation

Debra A. Webber Collection on Albert J. Hansen, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Location of Collection

2a.1.8

Acquisition Information

Gift of Debra A. Webber, received in 2002.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Description Dates
2002.35.1: Albert J. Hansen studio portrait in police uniform
Peterson Studios (photographer)
circa 1914
2002.35.2: Albert J. Hansen in police uniform
Photo appears to be cropped and reproduced from a group portrait.
circa 1930
2002.35.3: Albert J. Hansen studio portrait in police uniform
Grady (photographer)
circa 1930
2002.35.4: Albert J. Hansen in police uniform walking on the sidewalk circa 1942
2002.35.5-.8: Snapshots of Albert J. Hansen and his fiancée Helen
4 photographs 2 x 3 inches
These four photographs were apparently taken shortly after Hansen's hiring by the Seattle Police Department. They show Hansen in his new police uniform, with his soon-to-be wife Helen appearing in three of the photos with him. In two of these, the couple strikes humorous poses, with Helen wearing Albert's large police coat in one, and Helen in police coat and helmet in another, holding a handcuffed Albert, who is wearing a dress and mugging for the camera. According to a family story (related by the donor, Hansen's granddaughter), Hansen needed to get a more stable job in order to marry Helen. Hansen was hired by the SPD in 1913, and he and Helen married in 1914.
circa 1914
2002.35.9: Albert Hansen in uniform working at a traffic signal on First Avenue, with two pedestrians waiting
The Liberty Theatre is visible in the background.
circa 1935
2002.35.10: Albert J. Hansen in group photo with staff at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Other men in photo identified as C.A. Terry, H. Gaskill, Bill Johnson, Maj. Lester Dillon and Lt. Ferriss.
circa 1940
2002.35.11: Albert J. Hansen in group photo with staff at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer circa 1940
2002.35.12: Seattle Police Department officers group portrait in rain slickers circa 1920
2002.35.13a: Photocopy of Seattle Daily Times clipping showing traffic squad officer Albert Hansen receiving a pin for courtesy 1922 November 23
2002.35.13b: Photocopy of road safety poem, from note pad used by Seattle police officers in lieu of tickets
For his police work, Hansen kept a stack of these courtesy reminders: "If every one who takes the wheel/ Would say a little prayer,/ And keep in mind those in the car/ Depending on his care,/ And make a vow and pledge himself/ To never take a chance, / The great crusade for safety/ Then would suddenly advance." Below the poem were the words "Your co-operation requested by Officer ______," with a blank line for the officer's name.
circa 1920s
2002.35.14: Aerial view of downtown Seattle
Pierson Photo Co. (photographer)
circa 1930
2002.35.15: Smith Tower and Court House buildings, Seattle
Pierson Photo Co. (photographer)
circa 1920
2002.35.16: Birds-eye view of New Orpheum Theater, Seattle
Pierson Photo Co. (photographer)
circa 1927
2002.35.17: Medical and Dental Building, Seattle, night view
Pierson Photo Co. (photographer)
circa 1925
2002.35.18: Aerial view of Seattle waterfront
Pierson Photo Co. (photographer)
1927
2002.35.19: View of Seattle financial district, from Second Avenue and Columbia Street
Pierson Photo Co. (photographer)
1925
2002.35.20: Altered photograph showing proposed straightening of Second Avenue from Yesler Way to Fourth Avenue South
Pierson Photo Co. (photographer)
Aerial view by Pierson Photo Co. with drawing by the Seattle Times Art Department.
1927

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Buildings--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Traffic police--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Uniforms

Personal Names

  • Hansen, Albert J., 1885-1967--Archives

Corporate Names

  • Seattle (Wash.). Police Department

Geographical Names

  • Seattle (Wash.)

Form or Genre Terms

  • Aerial views
  • Photographs