Archives West Finding Aid
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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)18911891
- 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.
- Languages
- English
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
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.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
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.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
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.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Folder | item | ||
| 1 | 1 |
View of Mt. Baker with group of men on the snow field
below Written on photo: No. 101 Mt. Baker Series. Mountain from Camp
Baker.
|
June-July 1891 |
| 1 | 2 |
Three men with alpenstocks amongst trees in front of Mt.
Baker Written on photo: No. 103 Mt. Baker Series. Mountain from
Timber-Line.
|
June-July 1891 |
| 1 | 3 |
Six men waving flag and hats on summit of Mt.
Baker Written on photo: No. 104 Mt. Baker Series. Group on Summit.
|
July 3, 1891 |
| 1 | 4 |
View of the mountain from the summit Written on photo: No. 105 Mt. Baker Series. Looking west from
summit.
|
June-July 1891 |
| 1 | 5 |
View of mountain peaks from the summit Written on photo: No. 106 Mt. Baker Series. "The Sisters" taken
from the summit of Baker.
|
June-July 1891 |
| 1 | 6 |
Photograph of crater on mountain Written on photo: No. 107 Mt. Baker Series. 50 x 75 ft. 1500 ft
below summit.
|
June-July 1891 |
| 1 | 7 |
Six men on mountain slope Written on photo: No. 108 Mt. Baker Series. Looking North from
Summit.
|
June-July 1891 |
| 1 | 8 |
Snow-covered peak Written on photo: No. 109 Mt. Baker Series. Looking west from base
of dome.
|
June-July 1891 |
| 1 | 9 |
Six men standing under snow-covered trees in front of Mt.
Baker Written on photo: No. 110 Mt. Baker Series. Snow storm, Camp
Baker.
|
July 5, 1891 |
| 1 | 10 |
Two men with alpenstocks standing on rocky creek
bank Written on photo: No. 112 Mt. Baker Series. Mount Baker from
Glacier Creek.
|
June-July 1891 |
| 1 | 11 |
Nooksack River with Mt. Baker in the
background Written on photo: No. 113 Mt. Baker Series. Mount Baker from
Nooksachk [sic] River.
|
June-July 1891 |
| 1 | 12 |
Rocky terrain at Glacier Creek with Mt. Baker in the
background Written on photo: No. 117 Mt. Baker Series. Mountain from Glacier
Creek.
|
June-July 1891 |
| 1 | 13 | Portfolio Cover Written on portfolio: Scenic Mt. Baker.
|
1891? |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Mountaineers--Washington (State)--Baker, Mount--Photographers
- Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)
