Alfred G. Simmer Photograph Collection, 1905-1909
Scope and Contents
The views provide a special look at life on the Seward Peninsula, the communities, people, ships, roadhouses, mining activity, reindeer herding, buildings, home (including interiors and general way of life). Simmer's photographs of Eskimos include portraits and informal views with many taken at Council and Solomon. Many Eskimo people are identified. The collection includes the Nome fire (Sept. 13, 1905), and large ice hummocks on the Nome beach of the Bering Sea. Most of the photographs are captioned and labeled with Simmer’s photograph number.
Dates
- 1905-1909
EAD
PCA0137Conditions Governing Access
The collection is available for viewing, however, the photographs may not be photocopied.
Conditions Governing Use
Request for permission to publish or reproduce material from the collection should be discussed with the Librarian.
Biographical
Alfred G. Simmer is listed as a photographer and civil engineer in Polk's Alaska-Yukon Gazetteer, 1907. Little else, however, is known of his life. His wife is identified in several Nome photos. Simmer is also listed in the Seattle directory for 1906, described as an engineer.
Extent
342 Photographic Prints
Language of Materials
English
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The photographs in this collection were made from original glass plate negatives purchased by the library from George Rowswell of Lacey, Washington, August 1980.
Existence and Location of Originals
INVENTORY OF GLASS PLATE NEGATIVES
Stored in cabinet in vault
3 Metal Containers
#1-115
#116-240
#241-329
Existence and Location of Copies
Photographs digitized and available for viewing via Alaska's Digital Archives: 001, 003-004, 006, 010, 013, 015-016, 018-019, 021-023, 025-026, 033, 038, 040, 045, 047, 060, 062, 070, 078, 088, 097, 113-115, 138, 042, 147, 156, 158, 164, 170, 178, 187, 206, 212, 266, 279, 282, 295-297, 331, 337, 341-342
Processing Information
Safety negatives and 8 x 10” prints were made from the original glass plate negatives. The photographs are numbered and housed in archival materials with support to discourage curling. An item-level inventory is available. Simmer’s photograph numbers were added in parentheses if known.
- Title
- Finding aid for the Alfred G. Simmer Photograph Collection, 1905-1909
- Status
- In Progress
- Author
- Processed by: India Spartz ; Revised: 1994, Aug. 2004 ; ArchivesSpace finding aid by: Sandy Johnston, 2019 May ; Revised by and Inventory added by: Sandy Johnston
- Date
- 2020 March
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the Alaska State Library - Historical Collections Finding Aids Repository
PO Box 110571
Juneau AK 99811-0571 US
907-465-2920
907-465-2925
907-465-2151 (Fax)
asl.historical@alaska.gov