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William O. Amsden "Scenic Mt. Baker" Photographs, June-July 1891

Overview of the Collection

Photographer
Amsden, W. O. (William Oscar)
Title
William O. Amsden "Scenic Mt. Baker" Photographs
Dates
June-July 1891 (inclusive)
Quantity
12 photographs and front of album cover (1 folder)
Collection Number
PH1607
Summary
Photographs by William O. Amsden documenting the ascent of Mt. Baker led by Valentine V. Lowe in 1891
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.

Request at UW

Languages
English
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Biographical Note

Photographer and mountaineer William Oscar Amsden (March 26, 1862-December 1942) was born in Wisconsin, although his family soon moved to Groton, South Dakota. Around 1880 he left home for the Klondike to work as a photographer. He was part of the Seattle Photo Company in 1890 along with Chester B. Walsworth (the office was located at 15 Shorey Blk). He was also part of Valentine V. Lowe's expedition team that ascended Mt. Baker in 1891. Through the years he worked for the B.W. Kitburn Stereoscopic Company, as one of the photographers for the 1893 Chicago World's Fair, as a photographer covering the Boer War, the Paris Exhibition and Edward VII's coronation. After his marriage the family moved between New York and California, with Amsden working in his own studios or for others. He died in Mt Kisco, New York.

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Content Description

These photographs by William O. Amsden document the ascent of Mt. Baker led by Valentine V. Lowe in 1891. The expedition party included eight men. Alongside Amsden and V. Lowe were Henry Lowe, Ed. Whitstruck, Percival J. Parris, G. W. Smith, Tom Scatbo, and Hobert Clark. They ascended via Glacier Creek or the north fork of the Nooksak. This was the second ascent of Mt. Baker after the climb by Edmund T. Colman and four other men in 1868. Lowe's expedition was the first to take photographs with a camera on the top of the mountain.

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Use of the Collection

Alternative Forms Available

View the digital version of the collection

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.

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Administrative Information

Acquisition Information

Source: Primary Sources, March 25, 2019.

Processing Note

Processed by Maureen Hogan, 2020.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

 

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Subject Terms

  • Mountaineers--Washington (State)--Baker, Mount--Photographers
  • Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)

Personal Names

  • Amsden, W. O. (William Oscar)--Archives

Geographical Names

  • Baker, Mount (Wash.)--Photographs
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