View XML QR Code

William H. Partridge Alaska photographs, 1880-1939

Overview of the Collection

Photographer
Partridge, W. H. (William Henry), 1858-1939
Title
William H. Partridge Alaska photographs
Dates
1880-1939 (inclusive)
Quantity
109 photographic prints, 2 empty albums (2 boxes) ; 8.5 x 5.25 in.
Collection Number
PH0322
Summary
Photographs taken by William H. Partridge of a trip on the steamshipAnconup the southeastern Alaskan coast in 1887, as well as photographs in Washington; Oregon; and Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada; of a Northern Pacific Railroad survey crew; a portrait of Partridge; and photographs of his paintings
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

Request at UW

Selected images can be viewed on the Libraries' Digital Collections website. Permission of the Visual Materials Curator is required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.

Languages
English
Return to Top

Biographical Note

Born in 1858 in West Virginia, William Partridge was already listed as a photographer in a Boston business directory in 1878. He was soon joined by his older brother Edward, working with their father at A. C. Partridge & Sons. By 1884, William and Edward had moved to Portland, where they established their own studio. In September of that year they exhibited a series of photographs made at night by electric light. Both Edward and William Partridge traveled to Alaska and brought back photographs, William in 1886 and Edward in 1887. Then in 1887, shortly after marrying Emma Abell, daughter of the Portland photographer Frank Abell, William moved back to Boston. Both Edward's and William's Alaska and Oregon views sold briskly on the east coast, and many of their Pacific Northwest boudoir cards found today include a Boston imprint. William continued his studio in Boston for many years, from 1886 until 1914. After his career in photography, he became involved in real estate., as well as becoming an artist. He died in Wellesley in 1939.

Return to Top

Content Description

This collection contains photographs, referred to as "Boudoir Cards" probably made on one trip, on the steamship Ancon up the southeastern Alaskan coast with stops in Fort Wrangell, Juneau, Killisnoo and Sitka. There are several photographs of the ship and the scenery, as well as a few shots featuring passengers and Tlingit people. These photographs are from Partridge's "Catalogue of Alaska Views." The collection also includes two boudoir card photograph albums of "Alaska Souvenir Photographs", each containing a list of the photographs. There are also photographs taken in Washington; Oregon; Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada; and of a Northern Pacific Railroad survey crew.

Return to Top

Historical Background

Introduced in the 1880s, the " boudoir " card size (5.5 x 8.5 inches) slightly larger than the "cabinet" card size (4.5 x 7 inches). It was originally produced for marketing purposes. A boudoir card consisted of a photograph mounted on a cardboard mount. It usually cost more than the smaller sized cabinet cards. This collection contains two empty boudoir card photograph albums.

Return to Top

Use of the Collection

Alternative Forms Available

View selections from 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.

Preferred Citation

Return to Top

Administrative Information

Arrangement

Arranged in 14 series.

  • Washington
  • Oregon
  • Alaska
  • Fort Wrangell and Wrangell Narrows, Alaska
  • Juneau and vicinity, Alaska
  • Killisnoo, Alaska
  • Muir Glacier, Alaska
  • Sitka, Alaska and vicinity
  • Taku Inlet, Alaska
  • Treadwell Gold Mine, Douglas Island, Alaska
  • Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
  • Northern Pacific Railroad Survey
  • Miscellaneous Photographs
  • Albums and Catalogs

Acquisition Information

Source: 3 photographs, Joan Perkal Books, 1980.

Source: 65 photographs, 1 album cover, 1 document, Barbara Day, 2013.

Processing Note

Processed by Erin O'Brien, Megan Peacock, and Marion Brown, 2008: photographs added by Arlene G. Cohen, 2023.

Return to Top

Detailed Description of the Collection

 

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Indians of Indians of North America--Alaska--Photographs
  • Tlingit Indians--Photographs
  • Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)

Geographical Names

  • Alaska--Photographs
  • Juneau (Alaska)--Photographs
  • Oregon--Photographs
  • Sitka (Alaska)--Photographs
  • Washington--Photographs


2010 (Last modified: 9/19/2025)

CC0

About Creative Commons Licenses in Archives West

Loading...
Loading...