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Austin Seward photograph collection, circa 1900-1930s

Overview of the Collection

Collector
Seward, Austin, 1885-1974
Title
Austin Seward photograph collection
Dates
circa 1900-1930s (inclusive)
Quantity
700 photographs including 4 albums, (3 boxes)
Collection Number
1980.6877
Summary
Photographs include Seattle, Bainbridge Island, buildings, scenery, logging, ships, planes, foreign monuments, products from Joseph Mayer & Brothers, cremation urns, funeral products and various artifacts.
Repository
Museum of History & Industry, Sophie Frye Bass Library

P.O. Box 80816
Seattle, WA
98108
Telephone: 2063241126 x102
library@mohai.org
Access Restrictions

The collection is open to the public by appointment.

Languages
English.
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Biographical Note

Austin Seward was born May 4, 1885 and died in May of 1974. Sources say he spent time working as a sheriff, mill worker, politician, and dairy operator, among other things. Seward worked as a local photographer for Pierson’s studio in the early 1920s. He was also a photographer for Bainbridge Studios.

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Content Description

The collection consists of 4 photograph albums and loose photographs (approximately 700 photographs in total) depicting a wide range of subjects. Some of the photographs are stamped Pierson Studios, some Bainbridge Studios, some with both studio names, and others were not stamped at all. Some of the photographs are identified and/or dated, but many are not. Many of the photographs were taken in Seattle and include scenic and aerial views, downtown views, clocks, buildings and commercial photography. One of the albums contains photographs that highlight various products made by Joseph Mayer & Brothers Company in Seattle. There is also an album that contains photographs and specifications of cremation urns and other funeral products. There are many miscellaneous photographs with subjects including scenery, logging, ships, planes, foreign monuments, and artifacts.

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Use of the Collection

Alternative Forms Available

View selections from the collection in MOHAI's online collections.

Restrictions on Use

The Museum of History & Industry is the owner of the materials in the Sophie Frye Bass Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from MOHAI before any reproduction use. The museum does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.

Preferred Citation

Austin Seward Photograph Collection, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

The collection has been divided into two series: albums and loose photographs. The loose photographs are organized loosely by subject.

Location of Collection

2b.1.5

Location of Collection

2b.1.7

Acquisition Information

Donor: Evelyn “Lyn” Seward Damewood (widow of Austin Seward); 1980.

Processing Note

One of the albums (1980.6877.5) was disassembled for preservation purposes and separated into several different folders. The original order of the album pages has been retained.

Items .1, .2, and .3 were removed from the collection and added to Museum library reference. The collection starts at .4.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

  • Albums, circa 1900-1930s

    4 albums
    • Description: .4: Album
      143 photographs 8"x11"

      Includes Volunteer Park, scenery, commercial photography, business interiors and exteriors, houses interiors and exteriors, Tatoosh Range, Drummond Lighterage Co. barge, Sovereign Gas Station, logging, Snoqualmie Falls Lumber Co., Montlake Bridge, Mt. Rainier, Aurora Bridge, Herbert Hoover, Alaska Indian Totem Pole at “Totem Place” West Seattle, Chatterton Bakeries, Eddie Hubbard with the Boeing B-1, Columbus Hospital Nurses, J.F. Jappe’s Farm – Alderwood Manor, farming, Invalid Coach Service – Shepard, YWCA pool.

      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box 1
      Location: Albums, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .5: Album
      28 folders containing 139 photographs

      Album taken apart and separated into folders. Includes various objects from the Jos. Mayer & Bros. Company such as: clocks, medals, buckles, pins, coins, rings, and platters.

      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box/Folder 1/1-28
      Location: Albums, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .6: Album
      115 photographs 8"x11"

      Includes various objects from Jos. Mayer & Bros. such as: medals, buckles, pins, coins, rings, and platters.

      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box 1
      Location: Albums, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .7: Album
      46 photographs 8 ¼”x 11 ½”

      Includes cremation urns, memorial tablets, vases, and emblems of fraternal organizations. Includes identifications and specifications.

      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box 1
      Location: Albums, circa 1900-1930s

  • Photographs, circa 1900-1930s

    257 photographs
    • Description: .8-12: Lake Union aerial views
      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box/Folder 2/1
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .13-18: Seattle aerial views
      Dates: 1930 March 30
      Container: Box/Folder 2/2-3
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .19-27: Seattle aerial views
      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box/Folder 2/4-5
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .28-30, .33: Downtown Seattle streets and buildings

      Includes Pioneer Square, unidentified streets, Second Avenue & Columbia (Financial District), Dexter Horton Building.

      Dates: circa 1920
      Container: Box/Folder 2/6
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .31: Unidentified Seattle streets
      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box/Folder 2/6
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .32: Second Avenue and Columbia
      Dates: circa 1925
      Container: Box/Folder 2/6
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .34, .37-40: Downtown Seattle streets and buildings

      Includes Metropolitan Theatre, White Building, unidentified Seattle streets.

      Dates: circa 1925
      Container: Box/Folder 2/7
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .35: Downtown Seattle
      Dates: circa 1930
      Container: Box/Folder 2/7
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .36: Unidentified Seattle streets
      Dates: circa 1920
      Container: Box/Folder 2/7
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .41-42: Denny Regrade and Washington Hotel
      Dates: circa 1900
      Container: Box/Folder 2/8
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .43-45: Northern Life Tower
      Dates: circa 1930
      Container: Box/Folder 2/9
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .46-47: Seattle buildings

      Includes National Bank of Commerce, Masonic Temple.

      Dates: circa 1915
      Container: Box/Folder 2/9
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .48-49: Seattle buildings

      Includes Nurses Home Columbus Hospital, Civic Auditorium.

      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box/Folder 2/9
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .50, .52-53: Seattle buildings

      Includes Harborview Hospital, Dexter Horton Building, Medical Dental Building.

      Dates: circa 1920
      Container: Box/Folder 2/10
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .51, .54, .56: Seattle buildings

      Includes Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Building, Cheasty Building, Melhorn Building.

      Dates: circa 1930
      Container: Box/Folder 2/10
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .55: Bay Building
      Dates: circa 1925
      Container: Box/Folder 2/10
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .57-59: Seattle buildings

      Includes the Bon Marche, Olympic Hotel.

      Dates: circa 1920
      Container: Box/Folder 2/11
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .60: Alvord Hotel
      Dates: circa 1915
      Container: Box/Folder 2/11
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .61: Continental Hotel
      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box/Folder 2/11
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .62, .64, .66-67: Seattle buildings

      Includes Marlborough House, Sheffield Apartment, L.W. Sutter Silver Shop, J.J. Bleitz Undertaking.

      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box/Folder 2/12
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .63: Faneuil Hall
      Dates: circa 1930
      Container: Box/Folder 2/12
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .65: Unidentified apartments
      Dates: circa 1930
      Container: Box/Folder 2/12
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .68, .71: Unidentified buildings
      Dates: circa 1930
      Container: Box/Folder 2/13
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .69: Unidentified school
      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box/Folder 2/13
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .70: Unidentified building
      Dates: circa 1925
      Container: Box/Folder 2/13
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .72-77: Seattle views and landmarks

      Includes downtown Seattle views, Madison Street cable car, unidentified church, Kristopherson’s Dairy and Western Union Telegraph & Cable Office, Lone Pine Bar, unidentified rural road.

      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box/Folder 2/14
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .78-82: Seattle views

      Includes Seattle views, Union Street Station Great Northern Railroad, Lake Union.

      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box/Folder 2/15
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .83-89: Commercial photography and scenery

      Includes commercial photography, Spring’s Jewelry Store, Pierson Studio, Mountain Lakes Water Company, Lake Hannon, Lake Fontell, Cherry Creek, Lake Marion, Young’s River, Tolt River.

      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box/Folder 2/16
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .90, .93-94: Seattle businesses

      Includes Tower Coffee Shop, Van de Kamp’s Bakery.

      Dates: circa 1920
      Container: Box/Folder 2/17
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .91: Pacific Catering Service
      Dates: circa 1925
      Container: Box/Folder 2/17
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .92, .95-97: Seattle businesses

      Includes Van de Kamp’s Bakery, Seattle Tent and Awning Company, M. Seller Company.

      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box/Folder 2/17
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .98-100, .102-103: Seattle and Bainbridge Island businesses

      Includes unidentified lobby, Smith Tower Annex interior, Bainbridge Beauty Shop (Winslow, Washington), hardware store interior, Star Machinery Co.

      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box/Folder 2/18
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .101: Al’s Tonsorial Express portable barber shop
      Dates: circa 1930s
      Container: Box/Folder 2/18
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .104-106: Restaurant interiors
      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box/Folder 2/19
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .107-111: Seattle buildings

      Include building interiors, banks.

      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box/Folder 2/20
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .112-115: Hamilton’s Resort at Fletcher Bay
      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box/Folder 2/21
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .116a-b: Pacific Coast Steel Corp
      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box/Folder 2/22
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .117-121: Seattle Cedar Lumber Manufacturing Company
      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box/Folder 2/23
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .122: University of Washington crew
      Dates: 1928
      Container: Box/Folder 2/23
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .123-145: Logging
      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box/Folder 2/24-27
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .146-152: Ships

      Include ships, shipbuilding, Winslow Shipyard

      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box/Folder 2/28
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .153-157: Ships

      Includes Eagle Harbor, ships, Captain Backland aboard C.S. Holmes, hospital ship, West Seattle Ferry.

      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box/Folder 2/29
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .158-160, .162-163: Ships

      Includes ships, Bremerton ferry, bridges, ship C.S. Holmes.

      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box/Folder 2/30
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .161: Port of Seattle Pier
      Dates: 1931
      Container: Box/Folder 2/30
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .164: Sailing ship St. Paul, steamships Jacob Luckenback and Amazon Maru
      Dates: circa 1920
      Container: Box/Folder 2/30
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .165: Steamships Wheatland Montana and President Madison
      Dates: circa 1925
      Container: Box/Folder 2/31
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .166-170: Ships

      Includes passenger ferries at Port of Seattle Pier 3, Eagle Harbor, Naval vessels, Seattle waterfront, ships sailing.

      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box/Folder 2/31
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .171-176: Boeing airplanes

      Includes Boeing P314 float plane #NX18601, airplanes, Boeing B1 U.S. mail plane at Lake Union with Eddie Hubbard

      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box/Folder 2/32
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .177: Boeing Airplane Company assembly room
      Dates: 1927 June 7
      Container: Box/Folder 2/32
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .178: Boeing Navy Fighter airplane
      Dates: 1927 September 14
      Container: Box/Folder 2/32
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .179-190: Homes, interiors and exteriors
      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box/Folder 2/33-34
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .191: Home exterior
      Dates: circa 1915
      Container: Box/Folder 2/35
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .192-196, 198: Homes, interiors and exteriors
      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box/Folder 2/35
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .197: Kitchen
      Dates: circa 1925
      Container: Box/Folder 2/35
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .199-200: Asian monuments
      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box/Folder 2/36
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .201-205: Scenic views

      Includes scenery, Saw Tooth Range White Pass and Yukon Railroad track by Ed Andrews.

      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box/Folder 2/37
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .206-212: Scenery

      Includes flowers, scenery, Mt. Rainier.

      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box/Folder 2/38
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .213-215: Airship America, Redding, California
      Dates: 1909 July 3
      Container: Box/Folder 2/39
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .216-229: Objects and artifacts

      Includes paint brushes, art deco, sea shell, pendants, books, necklaces, planting pots, mining car, Briggs & Stratton one cylinder gasoline engine with gear reduction device on left side, Native American artifacts, Persian rug.

      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box/Folder 2/40
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .230-235, .237-242: Miscellaneous

      Includes many miscellaneous photographs including railroad, foreign photographs, trail drive, Canadian Pacific Railroad, totem pole, family wedding scene, dog with shark, canine, White Pass and Yukon Railroad.

      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box/Folder 2/41
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .236: Lloyd Transfer Company
      Dates: circa 1915
      Container: Box/Folder 2/41
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .243: Seattle waterfront
      Dates: 1929
      Container: Box folder:oversize 3/1
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .244-245: University of Washington from SE corner of campus
      Dates: 1933
      Container: Box folder:oversize 3/1
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .246: Unidentified bridge
      Dates: 1931 January 6
      Container: Box folder:oversize 3/1
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .247-248: Aerial views of downtown Seattle
      Dates: 1929 July 27
      Container: Box folder:oversize 3/1
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .249: Aerial view of downtown Seattle
      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box folder:oversize 3/1
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .250-254: Waterfront and ships

      Includes harbor, ships, waterfront, lumber port, ship being cut up for scrap.

      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box folder:oversize 3/2
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .255: Winslow Harbor Bainbridge Island
      Dates: circa 1920
      Container: Box folder:oversize 3/2
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .256-258: Scenery

      Includes various scenic photographs and Snoqualmie Falls.

      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box folder:oversize 3/3
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .259: Looking west upon 76, six miles above Monte Cristo
      Dates: 1929 August 13
      Container: Box folder:oversize 3/3
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .260, .262-264: Miscellaneous

      Includes lumbering; 1320 Queen Anne Avenue built by Fred Anhalt; Bainbridge Beauty Shop, Winslow, Washington; dance floor circa 1900-1930s.

      Dates: circa 1900-1930s
      Container: Box folder:oversize 3/4
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .261: Washington Athletic Club
      Dates: circa 1930
      Container: Box folder:oversize 3/4
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s
    • Description: .273: Aerial view of University of Washington campus
      Dates: circa 1930
      Container: Box folder:oversize 3/5
      Location: Photographs, circa 1900-1930s

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Boat & ship industry--Washington (State)--Bainbridge Island
  • Boat & ship industry--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Clocks and watches
  • Commercial organizations--Washington (State)--Bainbridge Island
  • Commercial organizations--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Commercial photography
  • Crematoriums--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Houses--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Lumber Industry--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Urns
  • Vessels
  • Waterfronts --Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Waterfronts--Washington (State)--Bainbridge Island

Personal Names

  • Seward, Austin

Corporate Names

  • Bainbridge Studio
  • Boeing Aerospace Company
  • Joseph Mayer & Brothers
  • Pierson Photo Co.

Geographical Names

  • Bainbridge Island (Wash.)
  • Seattle (Wash.)

Form or Genre Terms

  • Aerial photographs
  • Landscape photographs
  • Photographs

Finding aid prepared by Carly Statz
2009

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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