Electric Studio/O.G. Allen photographs , circa 1910-1920

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Electric Studio (Pendleton, Or.); Allen, O. G. (Orla G.)
Title
Electric Studio/O.G. Allen photographs
Dates
circa 1910-1920 (inclusive)
Quantity
0.25 linear feet, (2 containers)
Collection Number
PH 033
Summary
Orla G. Allen (c. 1879-?), commonly known as O.G. Allen, was a professional photographer operating in Pendleton, Oregon, circa 1910-1920. "Electric Studio" is a franchise name that appeared in locations throughout the West. The collection consists of five images and documents rodeo people and activities, and a Pendleton event. Other O.G. Allen images are available in other collections.
Repository
University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives
UO Libraries--SCUA
1299 University of Oregon
Eugene OR
97403-1299
Telephone: 5413463068
spcarref@uoregon.edu
Access Restrictions

Collection is open to the public.

Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room.

Additional Reference Guides

See the Current Collection Guide for detailed description and requesting options.

Languages
English

Historical NoteReturn to Top

Little is known about Orla G. Allen. He was a member of the Pendleton Camera Club. Robinson notes that Allen's name appears in the Pendleton city directories only in 1911-1913. A front page article in the East Oregonian from Aug. 22, 1913 documents Allen's brief escape from a mental institution: Crazed Man Drives His Auto Into Drug Store; Interior of Place Wrecked; None Hurt. O. G. Allen, a local photographer, escapes from attendants at St. Anthony's hospital, jumps into machine, and speeds down street at fifty miles an hour—tears through fence and heads for business center of city. Stands in car yelling 'Let 'er Buck'.

The same article gives Allen's age as 34, states that he is one of the proprietors of the Electric Studio on Court Street, in partnership with E.E. Gustin, and for the past two years had been one of the official Round-Up photographers.

Grafe suggests that many of the early Round-Up photographs in the Lee Moorhouse collection, which are 5x7 glass plate negatives, are probably the work of Allen. Some have clearly had the Allen signature removed and the Moorhouse name added. (Moorhouse primarily worked in 8x10 format.).

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The Electric Studio/O.G. Allen collection consists of five glass plate negatives and one vintage print.

1. [untitled], cowboy with Appaloosa Horse. Glass plate negative and print.

2. "John Thomas bulldogging, Round-Up, Pendleton, OR, No. 25, Electric Studio".

3. "33x. Homer Wilson Bulldogging, Round-Up, Pendleton, OR, Electric Studio".

4. '"Roy Hunter bulldogger at the Round-Up" By O.G. Allen Pendleton No. 638.'.

5. [untitled], crowd gathered at train for whistle-stop campaigning.

There is no documentation for this collection. However, the location is clearly Pendleton, Oregon c.1910. As one image is signed by O.G. Allen, and Robinson documents a postcard with the imprint "Allen's Electric Studio, Eagle Woodman Bldg., Pendleton, Or.", the entire collection is attributed to this photographer.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Photographers--Oregon--Pendleton
  • Political campaigns--Oregon--Pendleton--Photographs
  • Rodeo performers--Oregon--Pendleton--Photographs
  • Rodeos--Oregon--Pendleton--Photographs

Personal Names

  • Allen, O. G. (Orla G.)

Corporate Names

  • Electric Studio (Pendleton, Or.)
  • Pendleton Round-Up

Form or Genre Terms

  • Glass negatives--Oregon--Pendleton--1911-1913
  • Silver gelatin prints--Oregon--Pendleton--1911-1913