John Edward Chilberg papers, 1864-1953
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Chilberg, John Edward, b. 1867
- Title
- John Edward Chilberg papers
- Dates
- 1864-1953 (inclusive)18641953
- Quantity
- 3.2 cubic feet (7 boxes, 1 oversize folder, 1 vertical file, and portion of one microfilm reel)
- Collection Number
- 0166
- Summary
- Reminiscences and clippings of a businessman and civic leader
- Repository
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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
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Open to all users.
- Languages
- English
Biographical Note
John Edward "Ed" Chilberg (1867-1954) was a prominent Seattle merchant, investor, and banker best known for his leadership in organizing the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition.
Chilberg was born in Wapello County, Iowa on January 19, 1867, to Swedish immigrants Nelson and Matilda Chilberg. He moved to Seattle when he was five years old, where his father started a grocery business. His uncle, Andrew Chilberg, was already a prominent figure in Seattle and president of the Scandinavian-American Bank, who later became the vice-consul of Sweden and Norway in 1879.
Chilberg was briefly enrolled in the Territorial University of Washington and worked as a traveling salesman before following his father and uncle’s footsteps in the sales, grocery, and mining industries. J.E. Chilberg and Company dealt in a variety of goods, including crockery, glassware, flour, feed and grain.
He lost many of his businesses in The Great Seattle Fire of 1889, but seized the opportunities that arose from the ashes of the recuperating city. That same year he married Anna Mary Rinehart of Seattle and later fathered two sons, Hugh Rinehart Chilberg and Carl Edward Chilberg. He moved to Alaska and turned his attention to steamships, becoming master of the Transit and operating the Monarch and the Sovereign. He also had interests in the Pioneer Mining Company and Miners & Merchants Banks of Nome and Ketchikan. Upon returning to Seattle, he worked his way to become vice-president of Seattle’s Scandinavian-American Bank and president of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce.
Chilberg invested in Seattle’s culture, believing it to be as important as infrastructure. He was one of 20 local investors who collectively donated $50,000 to help support Edward S. Curtis produce his well-known work “The North American Indian.”
Chilberg was also involved in several high-profile real estate developments. In 1903, Chilberg, Jafet Lindenberg, and others led Seattle's Scandinavian-American Bank to purchase the southeast corner of 2nd Avenue and Cherry Street with the intention of constructing a new bank building but were persuaded by J.C. Marmaduke to construct something more ambitious. The Alaska Building was finished in 1904, and until 1910 was Seattle tallest “skyscraper” at 15 stories. In 1906 Chilberg and Marmaduke purchased the northeast corner of Stewart Street and 2nd Avenue for $200,000 to construct the New Washington Hotel, later the Josephinum. President Theodore Roosevelt was the New Washington’s first guest, and many more would follow, as the hotel was built in anticipation of the crowds coming to the World’s Fair in 1909.
The Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition was Chilberg’s most outstanding contribution to the Pacific Northwest. After being first proposed by Godfrey Chealander in 1905, the Seattle Chamber of Commerce unanimously decided that Seattle should host the fair and Chilberg would serve as president. Prominent Seattle figures such as R.A. Ballinger, Edmond Meany, and W.H. Perry also made significant contributions. The initial idea was to honor Seattle’s impact on the Yukon Gold Rush but expanded to celebrate the entire Pacific Rim, extending invitations to British Columbia, Canada, Japan, California, Oregon, the Philippines, and China. The AYPE opened in June 1909 and saw 3.7 million visitors before closing four months later. It would transform Seattle from a port city narrowly associated with the Klondike Gold Rush to a city representative of cultural and social modernism.
Sources: Historylink, Pacific Coast Architecture Database
Content Description
Reminiscences, clippings, report on the Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition, other papers documenting Chilberg's involvement with the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, various business endeavors, correspondence, photographs, reminiscences, and ephemera. This collection also includes writings, scrapbooks, and ephemera relating to William V. Rinehart (Chilberg's father-in-law), Anna Mary Chilberg (wife), and Ann Inez Devlin (daughter-in-law). Included are photos from travel to Guatemala.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
Restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.
Administrative Information
Arrangement
Organized into 2 accessions.
- Accession No. 0166-001, John Edward Chilberg papers, 1889-1939
- Accession No. 0166-002, John Edward Chilberg papers, 1864-1953
Detailed Description of the Collection
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Accession No. 0166-001: John Edward Chilberg papers, 1889-1939
1 vertical file; portion of one microfilm reel (negative only)Scope and Content: Reminiscences, clippings; ca. 1889, 1910, 1912, 1924, 1939. Titles Include: Steamboating on the Yukon River in 1899, Business with Puget Sound and Central America, 1892-1897; Wreck of the Colima, June 27, 1895; From Manzanillo to San Salvador and 'Back Home'. Also includes Report on the Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition, 1909.
Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.
Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.
Acquisition Info: Bibliographic Source: Gift of Mabel Chilberg, 1961-05-10. Report on Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition transferred from the Glover photograph collection in Northwest Collection, 1969.
General Notes: Merger of 0166-001 and 1148-001
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Description: The Organization and Management of the Business of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition of 1909
Scope and Content: Account written by J.E. Chilberg
Dates: 1953Container: Box VF 248, Accession 0166-001 -
Description: Steamboating on the Yukon River in 1899
Scope and Content: Account written by J.E. Chilberg
Dates: undatedContainer: Box VF 248, Accession 0166-001 -
Description: Business with Puget Sound and Central America Established and Developed by J.E. Chilberg, 1892 to 1897
Scope and Content: Account written by J.E. Chilberg
Dates: undatedContainer: Box VF 248, Accession 0166-001 -
Description: The Wreck of the S.S. Colima June 27, 1895: How the Vessel Sank in the Southern Storm
Scope and Content: Account written by J.E. Chilberg "of the disaster written by the survivor to his wife in This City"
Dates: undatedContainer: Box VF 248, Accession 0166-001 -
Description: From Manzanillo to San Salvador and Back Home
Scope and Content: Account written by J.E. Chilberg
Dates: undatedContainer: Box VF 248, Accession 0166-001 -
Description: Obituary
Scope and Content: Typewritten copy of erroneous obituary written by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Dates: 1895Container: Box VF 248, Accession 0166-001 -
Description: The Alaska Building, Seattle
Scope and Content: Account written by J.E. Chilberg
Dates: undatedContainer: Box VF 248, Accession 0166-001 -
Description: ClippingsDates: approximately 1909-1939Container: Box VF 248, Accession 0166-001
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Description: Ephemera
Scope and Content: High school commencement program, menu for 50th anniversary of The Times
Dates: 1889-1911Container: Box VF 248, Accession 0166-001 -
Description: List of Chilberg's accomplishments, club memberships
Scope and Content: Accompanied by letter from Mrs. J.E. Chilberg
Dates: 1960Container: Box VF 248, Accession 0166-001 -
Description: Microfilm Reel (negative)1 microfilm reel
Scope and Content: Scanned copies of Chilberg's reminiscences "Steamboating on the Yukon River," "Business with Puget Sound and Central America," "The Wreck of the S.S. Colima," "From Manzanillo to San Salvador," "The Alaska Building"
Dates: approximately 1979Container: Box N8, Accession 0166-001
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Accession No. 0166-002: John Edward Chilberg papers, 1864-1953
3.2 cubic feet (7 boxes and 1 oversize folder)Scope and Content: Papers documenting Chilberg's involvement with the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, various business endeavors, correspondence, photographs, reminiscences, and ephemera. This collection also includes writings, scrapbooks, and ephemera relating to William V. Rinehart (Chilberg's father-in-law), Anna Mary Chilberg (wife), and Ann Inez Devlin (daughter-in-law). Included are photos from travel to Guatemala.
Arrangement: Arranged in 7 series.
- Series 1, Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition
- Series 2, Business files
- Series 3, Personal files
- Series 4, William V. Rinehart
- Series 5, Anna Mary (Rinehart) Chilberg
- Series 6, Ann Inez Devlin
- Series 7, Miscellaneous
Restrictions on Access: No restrictions on access.
Restrictions on Use: Status of creator's copyrights is unknown; restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Users are responsible for researching copyright status before use.
Acquisition Info: Collection was purchased from Matthew J. Landers, who acquired materials from Chilberg estate sale, October 2022.
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Series 1: Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition
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Description: Financial statements and budget balancesDates: 1909-1910Container: Box/Folder 1/1, Accession 0166-002
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Description: Groundbreaking Day4 photographic prints
Scope and Content: Photographs of J.E. Chilberg, the crowds, Chilberg's speech, a commemorative ribbon
Dates: 1909Container: Box/Folder 1/2, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: AYPE programs
Scope and Content: 2 special edition issues of The Argus, publicity materials, AYPE directory
Dates: 1909Container: Box/Folder 1/3, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: Honorary Days at Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition5 photographic prints
Scope and Content: Miss Columbia of Labrador, 2 photos from New York Day, a group photo on Minnesota Day, dedication of statue on Seward Day
Dates: 1909Container: Box/Folder 1/4, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: President Taft at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition10 photographic prints, 1 negative
Scope and Content: Photographs of Taft's visit, negative of a congratulatory telegram, clipping
Dates: 1909Container: Box/Folder 1/5, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: Awards presented to John Edward Chilberg2 slides
Scope and Content: Speech from Japanese consulate, slides of gifts, photograph of trophy, congratulatory letter from A.J. Anderson
Dates: 1909Container: Box/Folder 1/6, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: AYPE ephemera
Scope and Content: Menu for officers' dinner, AYPE passes and tickets, invitations
Dates: 1909Container: Box/Folder 1/7, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: "Copy of Conover's cogitations, subjects: The Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition and the University of Washington when A.J. Anderson was president, succeeded by L.J. Powell in 1882"Dates: undatedContainer: Box/Folder 1/8, Accession 0166-002
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Description: Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition diploma presented to J.E. ChilbergDates: 1909Container: Folder:oversize OS Folder 1, Accession 0166-002
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Series 2: Business files
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Description: Financial proposalsDates: undatedContainer: Box/Folder 1/9, Accession 0166-002
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Description: Letter of introduction with President Barrios of GuatemalaDates: 18793Container: Box/Folder 2/1, Accession 0166-002
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Description: Central America travel5 photographic prints
Scope and Content: Photos, notebook, clippings
Dates: 1895-1897Container: Box/Folder 2/2, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: Theodore Roosevelt1 photographic print
Scope and Content: Photo, clipping, souvenir pin
Dates: 1901Container: Box/Folder 2/3, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: The Pacific Mason
Scope and Content: Bound copies of Masonic publications
Dates: 1885-1886Container: Box/Folder 2/4, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: Ship sale documents and ephemera2 photographic printsDates: 1916, 1920Container: Box/Folder 1/10, Accession 0166-002
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Description: Pins and Ribbons
Scope and Content: Washington Bankers Association, National Chamber, Seattle Washington Delegate, Young Men's Republican Club
Dates: 1915-1918Container: Box/Folder 2/5, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: Mining Shares
Scope and Content: Atascadero Mining Company, Gold Ore Mining Company
Dates: 1932, 1934Container: Box/Folder 2/6, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: Large group photographs2 photographic prints
Scope and Content: Mining company workers?
Dates: undatedContainer: Box/Folder 2/7, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: Group photograph at forest/camp site1 photographic printDates: undatedContainer: Box 3, Accession 0166-002
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Description: "These Tremendous Years 1912-1937: Flashes from the History of a Quarter Century of Business Achievement"Dates: 1937Container: Box/Folder 2/8, Accession 0166-002
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Description: ClippingsDates: 1883-1929Container: Box/Folder 2/9, Accession 0166-002
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Description: Seattle Illustrated
Scope and Content: Publications published under the auspices of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce
Dates: 1890Container: Box/Folder 2/10, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: Seattle Chamber of Commerce Business Men's Excursion to Inland Empire22 photographic prints
Scope and Content: Scrapbook of business trip to Stevensen, Washington State Penitentiary, Kennewick, Pullman, Walla Walla, Yakima
Dates: September 22-27, 1908Container: Box 3, Accession 0166-002
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Series 3: Personal files
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Description: CorrespondenceDates: approximately 1890-1953Container: Box/Folder 2/11, Accession 0166-002
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Description: Correspondence--Ann and Hugh ChilbergDates: 1916Container: Box/Folder 2/12, Accession 0166-002
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Description: Photographic prints of J.E. Chilberg9 photographic printsDates: approximately 1880-1900Container: Box/Folder 1/11, Accession 0166-002
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Description: Tintypes2 tintypes
Scope and Content: 2 framed tintypes of unknown young children
Dates: approximately 1860Container: Box/Folder 2/13, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: Hugh Rinehart Chilberg5 photographic prints
Scope and Content: 5 cabinet cards of Hugh Chilberg taken at Curtis and Guptill studio
Dates: 1897-1899Container: Box/Folder 2/14, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: Chilberg family photographs54 photographic prints, 2 tintypes
Scope and Content: Unlabeled photographs, 2 tintypes of Mr. and Mrs. Chilberg in San Francisco, Mabel Chilberg (J.E. Chilberg's sister)
Dates: approximately 1890-1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/15, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: Photographs of airplanes and automobiles30 photographic printsDates: approximately 1911-1914Container: Box/Folder 2/16, Accession 0166-002
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Description: Negatives19 negatives, 2 photographic prints
Scope and Content: 3 x 4" negatives depicting daily family life
Dates: approximately 1940sContainer: Box/Folder 2/17, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: Guatemala photo album
Scope and Content: Hundreds of photographs of rural and urban life in Guatemala; some featured locations: Antigua, Chinautla, San Salvador, San Antonia, Guada Viejo, Ciudad Vieja, Mixco, Las Duenas; one photograph of Mr. and Mrs. Chilberg aboard the Transit
Dates: 1895Container: Box 4, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: Guatemala photo album
Scope and Content: Hundreds of photographs of rural and urban life in Guatemala; some featured locations: Acapulco, San Jose de Guat, Escuintla, Palin, Guati; photos of the freighter Transit
Dates: undatedContainer: Box 5, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: "Mother" Francesca Xavier Cabrini
Scope and Content: Correspondence, clippings, biography of Mother Cabrini
Dates: 1916-1946Container: Box/Folder 2/21, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: Charles A. Kinnear
Scope and Content: Correspondence, Mrs. Kinnear's travel diary; correspondence includes reminiscences of Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition
Dates: 1919-1952Container: Box/Folder 2/22, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: Ephemera
Scope and Content: Postcards, handwritten notes, calling cards, Seattle Public High School commencement programs, embossed notebook
Dates: undatedContainer: Box/Folder 2/23, Accession 0166-002
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Series 4: William V. Rinehart
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Description: Large mounted photographs of William V. RinehartDates: approximately 1914Container: Box/Folder 1/12, Accession 0166-002
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Description: William V. Rinehart--correspondence with wife, Oregon territoryDates: 1864Container: Box/Folder 2/18, Accession 0166-002
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Description: William V. Rinehart and William V. Rinehart Jr.2 photographic prints
Scope and Content: Obituary, photos, biography, memoriam, embossed copy of Seattle Chamber of Commerce publication "The Lake Washington Canal and the Commerce of the Pacific"
Dates: approximately 1864-1941Container: Box/Folder 2/19, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: Group photograph in front of Seattle National Bank Block building1 photographic print
Scope and Content: Mounted group photo; Mr. and Mrs. Rinehart in second row
Dates: 1896Container: Box/Folder 2/20, Accession 0166-002
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Series 5: Anna Mary (Rinehart) Chilberg
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Description: Scrapbook
Scope and Content: Unbound scrapbook pages contain clippings, photographs, correspondence, ephemera
Dates: approximately 1895-1925Container: Box 3, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: Travel DiaryDates: 1911Container: Box/Folder 2/32, Accession 0166-002
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Series 6: Ann Inez Devlin
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Description: Photo album
Scope and Content: Photos feature a trip to Europe, including the Tyrolean Alps
Dates: approximately 1910-1920Container: Box 6, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: Loose photographsapproximately 200 photographic prints
Scope and Content: More photographs of Europe trip, James A. Haywise in Civil War uniform, Willie Keiaper
Dates: approximately 1864-1920Container: Box 6, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: Ephemera
Scope and Content: Advertising cards, prayer cards from Italy, correspondence, illustrations by Ann Inez Devlin, memoriam card for Charles J. Devlin
Dates: 1909, undatedContainer: Box 6, Accession 0166-002
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Series 7: Miscellaneous
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Description: Sam Barlow letter to granddaughter "Jennie" and Oregon Trail ephemeraDates: 1864, 1993Container: Box/Folder 2/24, Accession 0166-002
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Description: Publicity photos of child actor Jon Provost2 photographic printsDates: 1956-1957Container: Box/Folder 2/25, Accession 0166-002
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Description: Photographs of Valeska Suratt2 photographic prints
Scope and Content: Related by marriage?
Dates: approximately 1920sContainer: Box/Folder 2/26, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: Wilton McCoy print of Jenny Lake
Scope and Content: Autographed
Dates: undatedContainer: Box/Folder 2/27, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: Captain Roald Amundsen1 photographic print
Scope and Content: Photo, clipping, National Geographic Magazine, ode
Dates: 1908Container: Box/Folder 2/28, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: Prospectus and Outline of Edward Curtis's The North American IndianDates: 1907Container: Box/Folder 1/13, Accession 0166-002
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Description: Miscellaneous publications
Scope and Content: Handbook of the National Society of the DAR, Stoke Poges Church, Description of the Regalia of Scotland, Penn and Jordans. Chester, reprints from The Business History Review
Dates: approximately 1911-1961Container: Box/Folder 2/29, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: Edmond Meany publications
Scope and Content: Class of 1912 dedication, "Two Studies in the History of the Pacific Northwest," The Washington Historical Quarterly
Dates: 1911, 1912Container: Box/Folder 2/30, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: Miscellaneous Oregon publications
Scope and Content: Pacific Northwest Quarterly, 42nd Reunion of the Oregon Pioneer Association, Oregon Historical Society, Peter Skene Ogden: Fur Trader Oregon: Prize of Discovery, Exploration and Settlement
Dates: approximately 1898-1944Container: Box/Folder 2/31, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: Short story manuscripts
Scope and Content: Titles: "The Homestead" by Rusticus and "The Mask of Gold"
Dates: 1855Container: Box/Folder 1/14, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: Lineage paperwork
Scope and Content: Rufus Sylvester?
Dates: undatedContainer: Box/Folder 1/15, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: Scrapbook of fine art reproductions
Scope and Content: "Esquimo" Nome, Alaska, photograph taken by B.B. Dobbs
Dates: undatedContainer: Box/Folder 1/16, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: "Puget Sound and her Snow Capped Mountains"
Scope and Content: Oversized booklet of Washington scenery reproductions
Dates: 1915Container: Box 3, Accession 0166-002 -
Description: Oversize photographic print of "Happy Jack"1 photographic printDates: 1903Container: Box 7, Accession 0166-002
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Description: Oversize photo of Inuit woman with two children1 photographic printDates: approximately 1900-1910Container: Box 7, Accession 0166-002
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Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
Corporate Names
- Alaska
- Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (1909 : Seattle, Wash.)
- Colima (ship)
Other Creators
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Personal Names
- Chilberg, John Edward, b. 1867 (creator)
