Photography - Overview
The millions of photographs in the Museum's collections compose a vast mosaic of the nation's history. Photographs accompany most artifact collections. Thousands of images document engineering projects, for example, and more record the steel, petroleum, and railroad industries.
Some 150,000 images capture the history, art, and science of photography. Nineteenth-century photography, from its initial development by W. H. F. Talbot and Louis Daguerre, is especially well represented and includes cased images, paper photographs, and apparatus. Glass stereographs and news-service negatives by the Underwood & Underwood firm document life in America between the 1890s and the 1930s. The history of amateur photography and photojournalism are preserved here, along with the work of 20th-century masters such as Richard Avedon and Edward Weston. Thousands of cameras and other equipment represent the technical and business side of the field.
"Photography - Overview" showing 12 items.
Page 1 of 2
- No Image Available
Henry Booth Collection, 1942-1974
- Notes
- Textile mogul Henry Booth was the grandson of William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army
- Summary
- Collection focuses primarily on the PhotoMetric custom tailoring system. It consists of advertisements, brochures, photographs, glass slides, a 16mm film, correspondence, financial records, meeting minutes, an operating manual, scrapbooks, magazines, and a guest register
- Cite as
- Henry Booth Collection, 1942-1974, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
- Date
- 1942
- 1942-1974
- 1940-1990
- 1920-2000
- 20th century
- 1940-2000
- 1950-2000
- collector
- Booth, Henry 1895-1969
- donor
- Booth, Robert
- Subject
- Booth, Virginia
- Eastman Kodak Co
- PhotoMetric Corporation
- Hillandale Handweavers
- Hillandale Farms
- Amalgamated Textiles Limited
- Richard Bennett Associates, Inc
- Local number
- 2000.3016 (NMAH Acc.)
- Data Source
- Archives Center - NMAH
- No Image Available
Lifwynn Foundation Eye-Movement Camera Records, 1938-1954
- Notes
- These records document the development of the Lifwynn Eye-Movement Camera, devised and built by Dr. Henry Roger in his laboratory at Sand Hook, Connecticut. Charles Robinson assisted in the development and construction of the electrical features. The registration and analysis of eye movements was undertaken as part of the study of the physiological alterations related to neurotic disorders
- Summary
- Includes file memoranda on meetings and correspondence between the Lifwynn Foundation for Laboratory Research in Analytical and Social Psychiatry Incorporated, and in particular, Hans Syz, M.D., Secretary, and various doctors, psychologists, and other professionals in the subject field, and various U.S. military departments, regarding either the eye movement camera or research projects using it
- Includes information on Look magazine's eye camera tests of magazine advertising
- Cite as
- Lifwynn Foundation Eye-Movement Camera Records, 1938-1954, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
- Date
- 1938
- 1938-1954
- 1930-1960
- creator
- Lifwynn Foundation
- author
- Syz, Hans
- collector
- Medical Sciences, Division of, NMAH, SI
- inventor
- Roger, Henry
- Subject
- Robinson, Charles (electrical engineer)
- Buswell, Guy
- Luce, L. E
- Thompson, H. A
- Burrow, L. Trigant
- Local number
- 316465 (NMAH Acc.)
- Data Source
- Archives Center - NMAH
- No Image Available
Draper Family Collection, 1835-1908
- Notes
- A photograph by Mora in the collection, marked "J.W. Draper," does not appear to depict the same man as in Neg. No. 52,757
- The Draper family made a number of important contributions to American science. John William Draper, a chemist, was one of the first American practitioners of photography and did pioneer work in astronomical photography and the chemical effects of radiant energy. John C. Draper was a noted physician and chemist. Henry Draper did astronomical photography and stellar spectral analysis. Daniel Draper established the New York Meteorological Observatory in Central Park
- Summary
- Miscellaneous documents and photographs related to the scientific careers of members of this family. Includes publications of the University of the City of New York, with which the Drapers were associated, reprints of papers by John William Draper, F. Melloni, John C. Draper, and Henry Draper, publications of the New York Meteorological Observatory, photographs of the observatory, rare scientific photographs, including photomicrographs (paper prints) by the Drapers, correspondence addressed to Daniel Draper, certificates, diplomas, and other documents
- Publications
- Images of John W. and Henry Draper used to illustrate an educational web site on canadian astronomy made by the AstroLab of the Mont-Mégantic Observatory for the Canadian Virtual Museum (e-mail request from Pierre Hudon, Ph.D., Departement of Earth and Planetary Sciences, McGill University, Québec, Canada, 2005)
- Cite as
- Draper Family Collection, 1835-1908, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
- Date
- 1835
- 1835-1908
- 1840-1850
- 19th century
- author
- Draper, John William 1811-1882
- photographer
- Mora, José Maria ca. 1846-1926
- author
- Nye, Dorothy Catherine Draper
- Draper, Henry 1837-1882
- Draper, Daniel (astronomer) 1841-1931
- Draper, John Christopher (chemist) 1835-1885
- collector
- Electricity and Modern Physics, Division of, NMAH, SI
- publisher
- University of the City of New York
- Creator
- New York Meteorological Observatory
- Local number
- 52757 (OIPP Neg., No., portrait of John William Draper)
- 72-11302 (OIPP Neg. No., alleged portrait of John William Draper)
- Data Source
- Archives Center - NMAH
- No Image Available
Marlboro Oral History and Documentation Project, ca. 1940-1986
- Notes
- Philip Morris, Inc. was originally a British company dating from 1847. Incorporated in U.S. 1919; overseas division established 1955. Diversified by acquiring paper, beer, soft drink, and packaged goods companies; became largest U.S. tobacco company. Marlboro cigarettes introduced 1924, "reintroduced" 1954. "Marlboro Country" is a landmark advertising campaign in which western American imagery became the motif for Marlboro cigarettes. By 1963, the "Marlboro Country" campaign had become the exclusive imagery for advertising the cigarette
- Dr. Scott Ellsworth, oral historian, conducted interviews, 1985-1987, with 60 persons associated with Marlboro advertising and marketing. 27 interviews were conducted overseas, in Argentina, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Hong Kong, Switzerland, and West Germany
- Summary
- Documents the development of Marlboro cigarette advertising, 1954-1986, through oral history interviews and related print and electronic media. Print ads, posters, and commercials complement the interviews by providing visual records. Additional information in Research, Interviewee, and Administrative files to place individuals and advertisements into historic context
- Interviewees (listed below) include Philip Morris executives, advertising agency personnel, photographers, production staff, sales and marketing personnel, and cowboys who modelled for print ads and television commercials
- Series 4: includes (A) proof sheets from the Marlboro Country campaign, 1981-1986; (B) Marlboro posters in English, Spanish, and German, 1984-1985; (C) 35mm color slides of Marlboro print advertisements (2 sets), 1927-1986; (D) Marlboro television commercials, 1955-1986 (master and researcher videotapes); (E) Marlboro radio commercials, 1956-1957 and 1986
- Cite as
- Marlboro Oral History and Documentation Project, 1954-1986, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
- Date
- 1940
- 1986
- ca 1940-1986
- 20th century
- 1940-1990
- 20th Century
- 1980-1990
- 1960-1990
- 1950-2000
- donor
- Philip Morris, Inc
- interviewee
- Nunez, Raul
- Marx, Dick
- Arguelles, Rafael
- Adams, Hall
- Zinn, Manfredo
- Fockler, Knut
- Landry, Jack
- Kwan, William
- Gil, Felipe
- Kwong, Goddard
- interviewer
- Ellsworth, Scott Dr
- interviewee
- Jarrard, Tom
- Winfield, Darrel
- advertising agency
- Leo Burnett, Inc
- Local number
- 1989.3098 (NMAH Acc.)
- Data Source
- Archives Center - NMAH
- No Image Available
Everett H. Bickley Collection, 1919-1980 (bulk 1919-1965)
- Notes
- Bickley was one of the more active inventors of twentieth century. While his main and most portable invention was an automatic bean sorter, his other inventions were numerous and wide in scope. Examples are: a photographic exposure meter; fly killing device; dance charts; nut-cracking device; and outdoor electric sign
- Summary
- Correspondence, patents, drawings, manuals, trade literature, and photographs, particularly rich in information on Bickley's sorting devices. World War II innovations, and other inventions such as an exposure meter, dance charts, fly-killing device, and an outdoor electric sign known as the Motograph
- Spans much of the twenthieth century and is of value to researchers interested in product development, the patent application process, product marketing and promotion, World War II innovation, and the daily operation of a small, privately owned industry. General correspondence, patents and patent correspondence, drawings, manuals, trade literature, and photographs; also, several artifacts designed by Bickley, including a photographic exposure meter (Fotimer), a prototype slide mount (Color Tight Slide Mount), dance chart, and even a clipboard (Deskette)
- Cite as
- The Everett H. Bickley Collection, 1919-1980, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
- Date
- 1919
- 1919-1980
- bulk 1919-1965
- 20th century
- 1930-1950
- creator
- Bickley, Everett H. 1888- 1972
- donor
- Beyer, Audrey Bickley
- Subject
- Bickley Manufacturing Company
- H. J. Heinz Company
- Local number
- 1999.3022 (NMAH Acc.)
- Data Source
- Archives Center - NMAH
- No Image Available
National Photographic Society Records, 1942-1986
- Notes
- Amateur camera club, Washington, D.C.; several of its exhibitions were held at the Smithsonian and some members' photographs are in the NMAH Photographic History Collection. Organized March 14, 1938 as the Revenue Camera Club, the organization changed its name to the National Photographic Society, April 1, 1943. Apparently the club held its last meeting and dissolved Nov. 14, 1986
- Summary
- Minutes of meetings, membership records, membership applications, exhibition stickers, correspondence, copies of constitution and drafts of constitution and by-laws, etc.; snapshot photographs (prints and negatives) of club events; copies of club newsletter, "The Finder," financial reports, etc
- Includes documents concerning the National Photographic Society's affiliations with the Greater Washington Council of Camera Clubs and the Photographic Society of America
- Cite as
- National Photographic Society Records, 1942-1986, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
- Date
- 1942
- 1986
- 1942-1986
- 1940-1990
- 1940-2000
- 20th century
- 1900-2000
- creator
- National Photographic Society
- donor
- Schroeder, Barbara
- creator
- Revenue Camera Club
- Subject
- Photographic History, Division of (NMAH, SI)
- Greater Washington Council of Camera Clubs
- Photographic Society of America
- Data Source
- Archives Center - NMAH
- No Image Available
Charles Fertig Collection, 1979-1985
- Notes
- Charles Fertig was a technician at the St. Joseph News-Press and Gazette. The newspaper developed a direct plate imager technology and is credited with being a leader in the field of laser adaptation to computer reproduction of photographs for newspaper use
- Summary
- Maintenance logs, system logs and training notes related to the development of direct plate imager technology and its early use by the St. Joseph (Mo.) News-Press and Gazette
- Cite as
- Charles Fertig Collection, 1979-1985, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
- Date
- 1979
- 1979-1985
- 1970-1990
- 20th century
- collector
- Fertig, Charles
- Graphic Arts, Division of (NMAH, SI)
- Subject
- St. Joseph News-Press and Gazette (newspaper)
- Data Source
- Archives Center - NMAH
- No Image Available
Scurlock Studio Records, ca. 1905-1994
- Notes
- As a young African American, Addison Scurlock studied photography with Washington photographer Moses P. Rice, and began using his parents' home as a photographic studio in 1905; in 1911 he opened his own studio. Later, sons George and Robert assisted him and worked as photographers in the studio. After Addison's death his sons continued to operate the studio until George retired in the 1970s and Robert died in 1994. Two other separate business enterprises were associated with the studio: The Capitol School of Photography, which was operated by Robert and George out of the studio, 1948-1952, and Custom Craft, a color laboratory service which opened as the school closed. (The collection contains material related to all these facets of the business.)
- Summary
- Approximately 250,000 photonegatives, photoprints, color transparencies from the photographic business founded by Addison Scurlock in Washington, D.C. Collection also includes business records and ephemera
- Photographs: Includes portraits of famous African-American luminaries such as Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. DuBois, and many other artists, intellectuals, educators, entertainers, etc., as well as documentation of Washington, D.C., including both the African-American community and national political life, and important photographs of Howard University; also commercial photography, including color materials
- Color separation materials: Sets of black-and-white color-separation negatives, sets of matrices for the Kodak Dye Transfer process, etc. (full-color Dye Transfer prints are storied in a different series)
- Business records: The photography studio records and Custom Craft records are in separate subseries, reflecting the fact that they were operated as separate businesses
- Cite as
- Scurlock Studio Records, ca. 1905-1994, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
- Date
- 1905
- 1905-1994
- ca 1905-1994
- 20th century
- photographers
- Scurlock Studio (Washington, D.C.)
- photographer
- Rice, Moses P
- Scurlock, Addison N. 1883-1964
- Scurlock, Robert S [Saunders] 1917-1994
- Scurlock, George H [Hardison] 1919-2005
- printmakers
- Custom Craft
- Subject
- Washington, Booker T. 1856-1915
- DuBois, W.E.B (William Edward Burghardt) 1868-1963
- Howard University
- Local number
- 1998.3003 (NMAH Acc.)
- 1998.0011 (NMAH Acc.)
- Data Source
- Archives Center - NMAH
- No Image Available
Alan and Elaine Levitt Advertisement Collection, 1920 - 1960s
- Notes
- Alan Levitt owned and operated Sherman Pharmacy, Sherman, New York, 1973-1985. The pharmacy was originally opened May 9, 1895. He and his wife Elaine donated a number of pharmaceutically related objects and archival materials, primarily advertising
- Summary
- Advertising materials relating to pharmaceutical and other supplies as part of the stock of retail pharmacies from 1920 to the early 1960s, mostly advertisements for cigars, cigarettes, Coca-Cola, Kodak, veterinary supplies, and patent medicines
- Cite as
- Alan and Elaine Levitt Advertisement Collection, 1920-early 1960s, National Museum of American History
- Date
- 1920
- 1970
- 1920 - 1960s
- 1920-1970
- 20th century
- collector
- Levitt, Alan
- Levitt, Elaine
- Medical Sciences, Division of, NMAH, SI
- Subject
- Sherman Pharmacy (Sherman, N.Y.)
- Eastman Kodak Co
- Local number
- 1988.3039 (NMAH Acc.)
- Data Source
- Archives Center - NMAH
- No Image Available
H. H. French Tallapoosa (Ga.) Photoprints, ca. 1880
- Notes
- No information about the photographer H. H. French available
- Summary
- 14 photographs taken in the town of Tallapoosa, Georgia, ca. 1880, each stamped with the photographer's name. Subjects are homes and businesses, including the Tallapoosa Land, Mining & Manufacturing Co., the Lithia Springs hotel site, a railroad bridge and the Tallapoosa River, a meeting of the Ladies' Aid Society at the Episcopal Mission, the Tallapoosa Glass Works, residences, etc; also a burro and wagon with two men in front of H. H. French's photographic studio
- Cite as
- H. H. French Tallapoosa (Ga.) Photoprints, ca. 1880, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
- Date
- 1880
- ca 1880
- 1870-1890
- 19th century
- 1870-1880
- 1880-1890
- photographer
- French, H. H
- donor
- Chace, Franklin Mrs
- collector
- Domestic Life, Division of (NMAH, SI)
- Data Source
- Archives Center - NMAH