Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Singin' Sam Agins photograph collection, 1875-1990
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Agins, Sam.
- Title
- Singin' Sam Agins photograph collection
- Dates
- 1875-1990 (inclusive)18751990
1885-1980 (bulk)18851980 - Quantity
- 3 boxes, (3.0 linear ft. )
- Collection Number
- UUS_P0134
- Summary
- Photographs from the 1940s to the 1980s and photographic postcards with images from the 19th century. The majority are black & white silver gelatin prints, 8" x 10" or smaller, although there are a few color prints and a large number of postcards. There is a total of 105 photographs (11 in color), 126 black and white proof sheets, 59 postcards (1 in color), 76 black and white negatives, and 18 posters. The majority of the images range from 1960 to 1980 and consist of the various places and festivals where Agins performed, the people that he performed with, and photos used in the photo-essay, Round Legs. Also includes photographs of a portrait of Agins painted by John Henry Waddell. Many of the photos were taken by Frederica Agins, some by professional photographers and event photographers, and a few by Agins' fans. The postcards are reproductions of 19th century "old west" images including Buffalo Bill, Native Americans, cowboys, stagecoaches, etc. Many of the photographs have negatives.
- 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
-
Restrictions
Open to public research.
- Languages
- English.
- Sponsor
- Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, 2007-2008
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Singin' Sam Agins was born in Denver, Colorado on June 14, 1919 and he died in Sun City, Arizona on March 28, 1996. He was born with a congenital paralysis of both legs and only weighed 2 lbs. at birth. Agins was limited to using crutches or a wheelchair for mobility from childhood. Despite his disability he led a very active and full life. Sam's activities included guitar playing, making poetry, and writing and collecting music. In addition he was a leather craftsman, stringed instruments mechanic, and a maker of hand-tooled silver buckle jewelry and violins. On November 19, 1957 he married Frederica Agins (born May, 1938) and they had two sons, Judd and Joseph Agins.
Agins' passion was writing, collecting, and recording American folk songs, especially of the West. During the 1940s and 1950s he entertained disabled youth, veterans, and children in hospitals acting as an Ambassador of Goodwill Industries. In addition, he entertained prisoners in New Mexico, guests at dude ranches, and taught classes about folk singing throughout the American West. Agins was also the United States representative in 1976 at the Smithsonian Institution's Montreal Expo and also served as an expert on early American folk songs in Washington D.C. During the 1970s and 1980s he participated in the Festival of the American West and the Western Writers Conferences held in Logan, Utah.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The collection includes photographs from the 1880s to the 1980s. The majority of the images are black-and-white silver gelatin prints, 8" x 10" or smaller although there are a few color prints and a large number of postcards. There is a total of 105 photographs (11 in color), 126 black and white proof sheets, 59 postcards (1 in color), 76 black and white negatives, and 18 posters. The majority of the images range from 1960 to 1980 and consist of the various places where Agins performed, the people that he performed with, and photos used in Round Legs. Many of the photos were taken by Frederica, some by professional photographers and event photographers, and a few by Agins' fans. The postcards are reproductions of 19th century "old west" images including Buffalo Bill, Native Americans, cowboys, stagecoaches, etc. Captions and some of the inscriptions (or parts of due to the length) are copied exactly as they appear on the photo inside of quotation marks with additional information enclosed in brackets. Many of the photographs have negatives.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
CopyrightIt is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Utah State University Libraries, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.
Permission to publish material from the Singin' Sam Agins photograph collection must be obtained from the Special Collections Photograph Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.
Preferred Citation
Singin' Sam Agins photograph collection, 1875-1990. (P0134). Utah State University. Special Collections & Archives Department.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Arrangement
Photographs removed from album, in original order.
Acquisition Information
The collection was donated by Frederica Agins in 1997. The photographs were removed from the Singin' Sam Agins papers, MSS 230. Included in that collection are copies of the publication Round Legs, a photo-essay by Agins.
Processing Note
Register completed by Daniel Davis, February 2005.
Related Materials
Singin' Sam Agins papersCOLL MS 230
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Album, undatedReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box | Folder | ||
1 | 01 | 1949 | |
1 | 02 | 1950-1959 | |
1 | 03 | 1940-1949 | |
1 | 04 | 1940-1949 | |
1 | 05 | 1950-1959 | |
1 | 06 | 1950-1959 | |
1 | 07 | 1950-1959 | |
1 | 08 | 1960-1969 | |
1 | 09 | 1960-1969 | |
1 | 10 | 1970-1979 | |
1 | 10 | 1970-1979 | |
1 | 10 | 1970-1979 | |
1 | 10 | 1980 |
John Henry Waddell original portrait of Agins, undatedReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box | Folder | ||
1 | 11 | 1:11:01:
Photograph of original portrait of Agins [Click to Access]
see 1:15:03
|
1970-1979 |
1 | 11 | 1:11:02: Color copy photographs of an original portrait
of Agins by artist John Henry Waddell
see 1:15:03
|
undated |
1 | 11 | 1:11:03:
Agins, John Henry Waddell, and Lindsay Waddell with completed portrait [Click to Access]
see 1:15:04.
|
1970-1979 |
1 | 11 | 1970-1979 | |
1 | 11 | 1:11:05: Agins posing while John Henry Waddell
paints
negative available
|
undated |
Smithsonian Institution album, undatedReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box | Folder | ||
1 | 12 | 1970-1979 | |
1 | 12 | 1:12:02:
Agins family [Click to Access]
|
1922 |
1 | 12 | 1940 | |
1 | 12 | 1970-1979 | |
1 | 13 | undated | |
1 | 13 | 1950-1959 | |
1 | 14 | 1970-1979 | |
1 | 14 | 1970-1979 | |
1 | 15 | 1970-1979 | |
1 | 15 | 1970-1979 | |
1 | 16 | undated | |
1 | 17 | 1980-1989 | |
1 | 18 | undated | |
1 | 19 | 1970-1979 | |
1 | 20 | 1979 | |
1 | 21 | 1922 | |
1 | 22 | 1980-1989 |
Snapshot of TexasReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box | Folder | ||
1 | 23 | 1:23:01: Snapshot of Texas Jim Silver with his
guitar |
undated |
1 | 23 | 1:23:02: Snapshot of Texas Jim Silver with a
record |
undated |
1 | 23 | 1:23:03: Snapshot of Texas Jim Silver with his
guitar |
undated |
The Western Horseman, 1960 SeptemberReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box | Folder | ||
1 | 24 | 1:24:01: Clayton Barnes demonstrating his horse shoeing
machine at the Elkhorn Ranch, Montana, 1960. Photographs taken for The Western
Horseman by Clayton Barnes |
1960 |
1 | 24 | 1:24:02: Clayton Barnes horse shoeing machine, "Sep
1960, The Western Horseman" |
1960 September |
1 | 24 | 1:24:03: A group of men trying out the machine on a
horse, "Sep 1960, The Western Horseman" |
1960 September |
1 | 24 | 1:24:04: Clayton Barnes horse shoeing machine, "Sep
1960, The Western Horseman" |
1960 September |
1 | 24 | 1:24:05: Men working on the horse shoeing machine, "Sep
1960, The Western Horseman" |
1960 September |
1 | 24 | 1:24:06: Clayton Barnes demonstrating the machine which
raises the horse horizontal, "Sep 1960, The Western Horseman" |
1960 September |
1 | 24 | 1:24:07: "Clayton Barnes and Bob Miller demonstrating
his horse shoeing machine, and an electric sander to remove a horse shoe, "Sep
1960, The Western Horseman" |
1960 September |
1 | 24 | 1:24:08: Clayton Barnes shoeing the horse, "Sep 1960,
The Western Horseman" |
1960 September |
1 | 24 | 1:24:09: Clayton Barnes shoeing the horse, "Sep 1960,
The Western Horseman" |
1960 September |
1 | 24 | 1:24:010: "Clayton Barnes demonstrating his horse shoeing
machine, and an electric sander to remove a horse shoe, Sep 1960, The Western
Horseman" |
1960 September |
Faces [People Making Silly Faces] , undatedReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box | Folder | ||
1 | 25 | undated | |
1 | 25 | undated | |
1 | 25 | undated | |
1 | 25 | undated | |
1 | 25 | undated | |
1 | 25 | undated | |
1 | 25 | undated | |
1 | 25 | undated | |
1 | 26 | undated | |
1 | 26 | undated | |
1 | 26 | undated | |
1 | 26 | undated | |
1 | 26 | undated | |
1 | 26 | undated | |
1 | 26 | undated | |
1 | 26 | undated | |
1 | 26 | undated |
Folder includes enlargements from 35mm negatives , undatedReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box | Folder | ||
1 | 27 | 1:27:01-04:
Woman walking [Click to Access]
|
1989 |
1 | 27 | 1989 | |
1 | 27 | 1989 | |
1 | 27 | 1989 | |
1 | 27 | 1:27:16-21:
Wheelchair on a hill [Click to Access]
|
1989 |
1 | 27 | 1:27:22-24:
Wheelchair and shopping carts [Click to Access]
|
1989 |
1 | 27 | 1989 | |
1 | 27 | 1:27:25-30:
Wheelchair on stairs [Click to Access]
|
1989 |
Folder includes enlargements from 35mm negatives , undatedReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box | Folder | ||
1 | 28 | 1989 | |
1 | 28 | 1989 | |
1 | 28 | 1989 | |
1 | 28 | 1989 | |
1 | 28 | 1989 | |
1 | 28 | 1989 | |
1 | 28 | 1989 | |
1 | 28 | 1989 | |
1 | 28 | 1989 | |
1 | 28 | 1989 | |
1 | 28 | 1989 | |
1 | 28 | 1:28:34-35:
Wheelchair and dog [Click to Access]
|
1989 |
1 | 28 | 1989 |
Photographs for Round Legs with no negatives , undatedReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box | Folder | ||
1 | 29 | undated | |
1 | 29 | undated | |
1 | 29 | undated | |
1 | 29 | undated | |
1 | 29 | undated |
Photographs from Rambler's Notebook , undatedReturn to Top
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box | Folder | ||
1 | 30 | undated | |
1 | 30 | undated | |
1 | 30 | undated | |
1 | 31 | 1:31:01: Snapshot, the Dillon Hotel |
1940-1949 |
1 | 31 | 1:31:02: Postcard announcing a 1990 exhibit entitled
"Survivors: Underemployed workers in Third World Streets" by photographer Rolf
Kjolseth at the University of Colorado, Boulder. On front is an image of a woman
and carring her child labeled, "Overworked and Underemployed"; verso is signed by
the photographer to Agins |
1990 |
1 | 31 | 1:31:03: Brochure with color photograph on folk legend Don
Pablo (1898-1974.) |
undated |
1 | 32 | 1:32:01: Pancho Villa and his men |
undated |
1 | 32 | 1:32:02: Pancho Villa's corpse, with a group of men
surrounding it |
undated |
1 | 32 | 1:32:03: Pancho Villa's corpse, "Sadaver de Francisico
Villa and Hotel Hidalgo Parral Chihva |
undated |
1 | 32 | 1:32:04: "Rattlesnake killing rabbit" in verso "Lucy Brown,
Billings, Montana" |
undated |
1 | 32 | 1:32:05: Copy photograph of a brochure advertising Harter's
Liver Pills |
undated |
1 | 32 | 1:32:06: Copy photograph of a brochure advertising Harter's
Liver Pills |
undated |
1 | 32 | 1:32:07: Unidentified cowboy performing with a
lasso |
undated |
1 | 32 | 1:32:08: "Old Occidental Hotel Where the Virginian got his
man Buffalo, Wyoming" |
undated |
Postcards, undatedReturn to Top
Container(s): Box 1, Folder 33
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
1:33:01: The Free State Saloon, Silverton, Colorado |
1960-1969 | ||
1:33:02: St. John's Hospital, Jackson, Wyoming |
1940-1949 | ||
1:33:03: Pioneer reenactment parade, Jackson, Wyoming.
Cowboy Bar in background |
undated | ||
1:33:04: Vista of Red River, New Mexico |
1940-1949 | ||
1:33:05: Catalina Mountains from front patio of the
Rancho Del Rio, Tucson, Arizona |
undated | ||
1:33:06: Ranch house and north patio, Rancho Del Rio,
Tucson, Arizona |
undated | ||
1:33:07: "Pony Express--1947 Model" [woman on a horse],
Rancho Del Rio, Tucson, Arizona |
undated | ||
1:33:08: Jesse W. James, with crossed
pistols |
undated | ||
1:33:09: Great Northern Express Car, after being
dynamited by Franhauser and MacDonald in train holdup near Rexburg,
Montana |
undated |
Postcards, undatedReturn to Top
Container(s): Box 1, Folder 34
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
1:34:01: Jesse James in 1948 and at the age of
17 |
undated | ||
1:34:02: Gunmen Cole and Bob Younger |
undated | ||
1:34:03: Corpse of Charley Pitts |
undated | ||
1:34:04: Myra Belle Shirley, a.k.a. Belle
Starr |
undated | ||
1:34:05: Headstone of Belle Starr |
undated | ||
1:34:06: Corpse of Clell Miller |
undated | ||
1:34:07: Schribner White Horse Stage, Walcott, Wyoming
to Saratoga, Wyoming |
undated | ||
1:34:08: 'Comanche,' only horse to survive Custer's Last
Stand |
undated | ||
1:34:09: Round up, Saratoga, Wyoming |
undated | ||
1:34:10: Round up scene |
undated |
Postcards, undatedReturn to Top
Container(s): Box 1, Folder 35
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
1:35:01: Rankin Stage Line, Bragg, Wyoming to Rawlins,
Wyoming |
undated | ||
1:35:02: Round up scene |
undated | ||
1:35:03: Calamity Jane in a dress |
undated | ||
1:35:04: Calamity Jane in fringed pants |
undated | ||
1:35:05: Covered wagon days in Wyoming |
undated | ||
1:35:06: Buffalo Bill show |
undated | ||
1:35:07: Jesse W. James at 104 |
undated | ||
1:35:08: Captain W.C. "Bloody Bill" Anderson at
84 |
undated | ||
1:35:09: Jesse and Frank James with their
mother |
undated | ||
1:35:10: Hunting scene on old Wyoming ranch |
undated |
Postcards, undatedReturn to Top
Container(s): Box 1, Folder 36
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
1:36:01: Rawlins, Wyoming--Front St. south of railroad
tracks |
undated | ||
1:36:02: Bull train, Saratoga, Wyoming |
undated | ||
1:36:03: Round up wagon, Saratoga Valley,
Wyoming |
undated | ||
1:36:04: Old stage line encampment, Wyoming |
undated | ||
1:36:05: Wagon train arriving in Rawlins,
Wyoming |
undated | ||
1:36:06: Indian babies in papooses, copyrighted 1898 by
Lee Moorehouse |
undated | ||
1:36:07: Old blacksmith shop |
undated | ||
1:36:08: Mule team trains leaving Rawlins, Wyoming for
Ft. Washakie-Lander |
undated | ||
1:36:09: Front street in Rawlins, Wyoming |
undated | ||
1:36:10: "Boney Earnest"--one time buffalo hunter,
Alcova, Wyoming |
undated |
Postcards, undatedReturn to Top
Container(s): Box 2, Folder 1
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
2:01:01: Hanging--Rawlins, Wyoming man
unknown |
undated | ||
2:01:02: Elderly Indian woman |
undated | ||
2:01:03: Sitting Bull, Bismarck, Dakota,
1885 |
undated | ||
2:01:04: Sautee ferry boat |
undated | ||
2:01:05: Settler's home, Oahe, Dakota |
undated | ||
2:01:06: Indian tepee |
undated | ||
2:01:07: Wagon on the prairie |
undated | ||
2:01:08: Cheyenne village on the Yellowstone [from a
stereograph.] |
undated | ||
2:01:09: A group of people with a dog in a car, appears
to be decorated for a parade |
undated | ||
2:01:10: Broken Arm Chief--Sioux |
undated |
Postcards, undatedReturn to Top
Container(s): Box 2, Folder 2
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
2:02:01: Indian chief |
undated | ||
2:02:02: Curing buffalo hides--Cheyenne village [from
stereograph.] |
undated | ||
2:02:03: Mule train, James Carr's teams |
undated | ||
2:02:04: Scaffolds--Indian dead bodies, Yankton Agency,
Dakota Territory [from stereograph.] |
undated | ||
2:02:05: Mountain man Jim Baker |
undated | ||
2:02:06: Little Eagle |
undated | ||
2:02:07: Indian encampment [from
stereograph] |
undated | ||
2:02:08: Water team, Sautee, Nebraska |
undated |
Photos from the American West Heritage Center, undatedReturn to Top
Container(s): Box 2, Folder 3
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
2:03:01: Photo of the oxen team, 'Yankee and Doodle'
with unknown man, "100% Ox team"
negative available.
|
undated | ||
2:03:02: Publicity photo of Singin' Sam Agins" |
1970-1979 | ||
2:03:03: Letter to Mr. Sherratt, VP for university
Relations regarding the oxen team, 'Yankee and Doodle' from Russell G. Mawby
President of W.K. Kellogg Foundation |
undated | ||
2:03:04: Photo of the oxen team, 'Yankee and Doodle'
with unknown man
negative available.
|
undated | ||
2:03:05: Biography of Peter Breck, from the Jay
Bernstein Public Relations Inc |
1975 March | ||
2:03:06-13: Publicity photos of Peter Breck
[Eight copies.]
|
undated | ||
2:03:14: Negative of 3:03:01,4 |
undated |
Oversize, exhibition prints of photographs, undatedReturn to Top
Used in Agins' Round Legs (1989) and posters entitled, "The Horsetrader," used in poster with Agins' poem, "Eight Years Old, Comin' Nine"
Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
---|---|---|---|
Box | Folder | ||
3 | 01 | undated | |
3 | 02 | undated | |
3 | 03 | undated | |
3 | 03 | undated | |
3 | 03 | undated | |
3 | 04 | 1989 | |
3 | 05 | 1989 | |
3 | 06 | 1989 | |
3 | 07 | 1989 | |
3 | 08 | 1989 | |
3 | 09 | 1989 | |
3 | 10 | 1989 | |
3 | 11 | 1989 | |
3 | 12 | 1989 | |
3 | 13 | 1989 | |
3 | 14 | 1989 | |
3 | 15 | 1989 | |
3 | 16 | 1989 | |
3 | 17 | 1989 | |
3 | 18 | 1989 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Agricultural experiment stations--Utah--Photographs
- Cowboys--United States--Photographs
- Folk musicians--West (U.S.)--Photographs
- People with disabilities--West (U.S.)--Photographs
Personal Names
- Agins, Sam--Photographs.
- Waddell, John Henry--Photographs.
Corporate Names
- Festival of the American West--Photographs.
Geographical Names
- Bear Lake (Utah and Idaho)--Photographs
- Cache Valley (Utah and Idaho)--Photographs
- Logan (Utah)--Photographs
- Utah--Photographs
Titles within the Collection
- Round legs.