Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
James A. Wehn photographs, approximately 1905-1973
Overview of the Collection
- Photographer
- Wehn, James A.
- Title
- James A. Wehn photographs
- Dates
- approximately
1905-1973 (inclusive)19051973
- Quantity
- 53 photographic prints (1 box)
- Collection Number
- PH0532
- Summary
- Photographs of the work of Seattle sculptor James A. Wehn
- 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
Entire collection can be viewed on the Libraries’ Digital Collections website. Permission of Visual Materials Curator is required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
James Wehn, 1882-1973, was a pioneer sculptor of the Pacific Northwest. He moved with his family to Seattle, Washington Territory, in February 1889. From 1905 until 1973 he worked from his studio in Seattle where he created many famous works including "Chief Seattle" (the first statue erected by the city, in 1912), the official Seattle City Seal (1936), and other bronze statues and plaques of early Northwest pioneers and explorers. A collection of James Wehn's sculptures, numbering more than 200 pieces, is on permanent display in the museum of the Washington State Historical Society.
In 1919, Wehn founded the Department of Sculpture at the University of Washington and taught there for five years.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Photographs, taken by Wehn, documenting his work, including portraits in relief with inscriptions, busts, and other sculptures.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Alternative Forms Available
View the digital version of the collection
Restrictions on Use
Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Custodial History
Given to Professor Charles Gates by James Wehn in May 1960.
Processing Note
Processed by Beck Prigot, 2015.
Bibliography
Fred Poyner IV. The First Sculptor of Seattle: The Life and Art of James A. Wehn (North Charleston, South Carolina: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2014).
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Sculptures and plaques of peopleReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 1/1 | 1 | circa 1905 | |
Alexander Baranov |
|||
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 1/1 | 2 | undated | |
| 1/1 | 3 |
Medallion with portrait of Alexander
Baranov Inscription on plaque: Alexander Baranoff, Czar of Russian
America, Alaska
|
possibly between 1913-1916 |
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 1/1 | 4 |
Bust of Richard Burnside Written on verso: James A. Wehn, sculptor. 710-29th Ave.
South, Seattle, Wash.
|
1930 |
| 1/1 | 5 |
Plaque with portrait of Chief Chow-Its-Hoot Inscription on plaque: Chow-its-hoot, Chief of the Lummi and
allied tribes - signed on January 22 - 1855 - the treaty which ceded to the
United States all the lands from Elliott Bay to the British line.
|
circa 1915 |
| 1/1 | 6 |
Plaque with portrait of Robert Max Garrett Inscription on plaque: Brother in Zeta Psi. Robert Max
Garrett, AD 1881 - 1924. Scholar, teacher, churchman, lover of nature and
humanity.Written on verso: Unveiled in the Zeta Psi House - June 1
1933. Bronze sunk into wood panel which carries the carved inscription.
|
circa 1933 |
| 1/1 | 7 |
Plaque with portrait of Chief Goliah Inscription on plaque: Goliah, Chief of the Skagit and Allied
tribes - signed on January 22 - 1855 - the treaty which ceded to the United
States all the lands from Elliott Bay to the British line.
|
circa 1915 |
Robert Gray |
|||
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 1/2 | 8-9b |
Medallion with portrait of Captain Robert
Gray Written on verso of item 9b: Owned by descendants of the
Gray Family in Boston, Mass.
|
between 1912-1914 |
| 1/2 | 10-11 | 1966 | |
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 1/2 | 12 | between 1925-1926 | |
| 1/2 | 13a-b |
Medallion with portrait of Chief Kitsap Inscription on plaque: Chief Kitsap sights Vancouvers vessel -
1792
|
between 1911-1912 |
| 1/3 | 14 |
Plaque with portrait of Marquis de
Lafayette Inscription on plaque: General Lafayette, lover of liberty,
patriot, 1757 - 1834Written on verso: Dedicated Oct. 14, 1935, U of W campus
|
between 1934-1935 |
| 1/3 | 15 | 1926 | |
Chief Leschi |
|||
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 1/3 | 16 |
Medallion with portrait of Chief Leschi Inscription on plaque: Leschi, Chief of the Nisquallies
|
circa 1915 |
| 1/3 | 17 | circa 1915 | |
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 1/3 | 18a-b |
Plaque with portrait of Meriwether Lewis Inscription on plaque: Meriwether Lewis. In 1845 the
provisional government of Oregon formed the territory lying north of the
Columbia River and west of the Cowlitz River into a single county known as
Lewis named after Meriwether Lewis who with William Clark in 1805 led the first
overland expedition into the Pacific Northwest. The first courthouse erected in
Washington was built on Jackson Prarie in Lewis County in 1851. This building
erected AD 1927. Board of County Commissioners: L. A. Stahl, first district.
Henry Rayton, second district. B. H. Stacy, third district. J de Forest A. I.
A., architectWritten on verso of item 18b: In the courthouse in Chehalis,
Wash. James A. Wehn, Sc.
|
1927 |
| 1/3 | 19a-b | between 1913-1916 | |
| 1/3 | 20 | before 1919 | |
John McLoughlin |
|||
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 1/4 | 21 | undated | |
| 1/4 | 22 |
Medallion with portrait of Doctor John
McLoughlin Inscription on plaque: Doctor John McLoughlin, Hudsons Bay
Co., Chief Factor 1824-1846, Fort Vancouver
|
undated |
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 1/4 | 23 |
Medallion with portrait of Elbridge W.
Merrill Inscription on plaque: Elbridge W. Merrill, who dedicated his
life and artistic attainments toward picturing the scenic beauties surrounding
Sitka, Alaska. 1932.
|
1932 |
John Muir |
|||
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 1/4 | 24 | 1933 | |
| 1/4 | 25 |
Plaque with quote by John Muir Inscription on plaque: Climb the mountains and get their
good tidings - Nature[']s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees
- The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy
while cares will drop off like autumn leaves. John Muir. 1930. Written on verso: Panel about 5 ft. 8 in. x 27 in. Unveiled
Feb. 29, 1930 - wood panel - John Muir School, Seattle, Wa.
|
1930 |
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 1/4 | 26 |
Plaque with portrait of Hannah Newman Inscription on plaque: Mrs. Hannah Newman, with courage and
faith in the development of our city owned this ground from pioneer days until
the erection of this building. 1930.
|
circa 1930 |
Chief Patkanim |
|||
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 1/4 | 27 |
Medallion with portrait of Chief Patkanim Inscription on plaque: Pat Kanim, chief of the
Snoqualmies
|
undated |
| 1/4 | 28 |
Plaque with portrait of Chief Patkanim Inscription on plaque: Patkanim, Chief of the Snoqualmie,
Snohomish and Allied Tribes, signed on Jan. 22, 1855 the treaty which ceded to
the United States all the lands from Elliott Bay to the British line. As
captain of Indian warriors he fought for the white people.Written on verso: Unveiled 29 June 1924
|
circa 1915 |
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 1/4 | 29 |
Medallion with portrait of J. D. Ross Inscription on medallion: J. D. Ross by his friend
|
1928 |
Chief Seattle |
|||
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 1/5 | 30a-b |
Statue of Chief Seattle Written on verso of item 30b: Chief Seattle statue. Fifth
Ave, Cedar Str., + Denny Way. Erected by the City of Seattle. Dedicated
Founders Day, Nov. 13, 1912.
|
circa 1912 |
| 1/5 | 31 | circa 1912 | |
| 1/5 | 32 |
Medallion with portrait of Chief Seattle Inscription on plaque: Seattle, Chief of the Suquamish
|
undated |
| 1/5 | 33 |
Medallion with portrait of Chief Seattle Inscription on plaque: Seattle
|
circa 1915 |
| 1/5 | 34 |
Medallion with portrait of Chief Seattle Inscription on plaque: Chief Seattle
|
undated |
| 1/5 | 35a-b |
Plaque with portrait of Chief Seattle Inscription on plaque: Seattle, Chief of the Suquamish and
allied tribes - signed on January 22, 1855 the treaty which ceded to the United
States all the lands from Elliott Bay to the British line - he was always a
friend to the white people
|
probably 1915 |
William H. Seward |
|||
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 1/5 | 36 |
Medallion with portrait of William H.
Seward Inscription on plaque: Seward. Let us make the treaty
tonight. Mar 29 1867. Alaska
|
undated |
| 1/5 | 37 |
Plaque with portrait of William H. Seward Inscription on plaque: Seward. Let us make the treaty
tonight. Mar 29 1867. Alaska
|
between 1913-1916 |
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 1/6 | 38 | circa 1915 | |
Isaac I. Stevens |
|||
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 1/6 | 39 |
Medallion with portrait of Isaac I.
Stevens Inscription on plaque: First governor of Washington
Territory. Isaac I. Stevens
|
undated |
| 1/6 | 40 |
Plaque with portrait of Isaac I. Stevens Inscription on plaque: Isaac Ingalls Stevens. First governor
of Washington Territory
|
circa 1919-1924 |
| 1/6 | 41 |
Plaque with portrait of Isaac I. Stevens Inscription on plaque: General Isaac I. Stevens. 1818 -
1862. West Point class 1839. Mexican War officer. U.S. surveyor. Congressman.
First governor of Washington Territory in 1853. Occupied Beaufort SC with no
violence 1861-62. Died leading troops at Chantilly VA. Presented by Lila M.
Hockin of Seattle, Washington. 1965.
|
circa 1965 |
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 1/6 | 42 | between 1911-1912 | |
| 1/6 | 43 |
Bust of Mollie Walsh Written on verso: Mollie Walsh, memorial bust for Skagway,
Alaska. Pioneer woman of the White Pass Trail of '97 & '98. To be unveiled
next spring. James A Wehn, sc. 1930.
|
1930 |
| 1/6 | 44 |
Medallion with portrait of George Washington Inscription on plaque: MDCCCLXXXIX [1889]
|
circa 1939 |
| 1/6 | 45 | between 1913-1916 | |
| 1/6 | 46 |
Medallion with portrait of Henry L. Yesler Inscription on plaque: Henry L. Yesler. 1810-1892Written on photograph: steel plates
|
1916 |
Plaques and sculpturesReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box/Folder | item | ||
| 1/7 | 47 | 1955 | |
| 1/7 | 48 | 1922 | |
| 1/7 | 49 |
Freed memorial plaque Inscription on plaque: Greater love hath no manInscription on scroll: Our souls have sight of that immortal
sea which brought us hither. Byron. [sic]Written on verso: Freed memorial. Hills of Eternity Cemetery.
Bronze by Gotham Co. New York. Erected by the Sunset Monument Co. Modeled by
James A. Wehn.
|
between 1917-1923 |
| 1/7 | 50 | circa 1924 | |
| 1/7 | 51 | 1922 | |
| 1/7 | 52 | between 1921-1926 | |
| 1/7 | 53 | Drawing of the Farnese Hercules sculpture Written on verso: Onr of the drawings by James A Wehn. Student
in the Seattle Art League in 1898. This original copy presented to the
University of Washington Library by James A. Wehn a sculptor of Seattle Wn.
|
1964 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Bronze sculpture--Photographs
- Bronze sculpture--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
- Busts--Photographs
- Busts--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
- Plaques, plaquettes--Photographs
- Portrait sculpture, American--Photographs
- Relief (Sculpture)--Photographs
- Sculptors--Northwest, Pacific
- Sculptors--Washington (State)--Seattle
- Sculpture--Washington (State)--Seattle--Photographs
- Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)
Personal Names
- Angeline, Suquamish Indian, -1896--Photographs
- Baranov, Aleksandr Andreevich, 1745-1819--Photographs
- Bartlett, Mollie Walsh, 1872-1902--Photographs
- Chow-its-hoot, (Lummi chief)--Photographs
- Clark, Mary A
- Garrett, Robert Max--Photographs
- Goliah, (Skagit Chief)--Photographs
- Gray, Robert, 1755-1806--Photographs
- Jim, Snoqualmie--Photographs
- Kitsap, Muckleshoot chief, -1860
- Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834--Photographs
- Lee, Robert E. (Robert Edward), 1843-1914--Photographs
- Leschi, Nisqually chief, -1858--Photographs
- Lewis, Meriwether, 1774-1809--Photographs
- Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865--Photographs
- McLoughlin, John, 1784-1857--Photographs
- Muir, John, 1838-1914--Photographs
- Ross, J. D. (James Delmage), 1872-1939--Photographs
- Seattle, Chief, 1790-1866--Photographs
- Seward, William H. (William Henry), 1801-1872
- Stevens, Isaac Ingalls, 1818-1862--Photographs
- Vancouver, George, 1757-1798--Photographs
- Washington, George, 1732-1799--Photographs
- Wehn, James A., 1882-1973--Photographs
- Whitman, Marcus, 1802-1847--Photographs
- Yesler, Henry L. (Henry Leiter), 1810-1892--Photographs
Corporate Names
- Hills of Eternity Memorial Park (Colma, Calif.)
- Women's University Club (Seattle, Wash.)
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