Archive of Pt. Barrow (Nuvuk) Alaska Glass Plate Negatives--217 Plates (4 x 5 inches) 1899-1908
Point Barrow (Nuvuk) Alaska: 1899-1908. Archive of Pt. Barrow (Nuvuk) Alaska Glass Plate Negatives--217 Plates (4 x 5 inches) 1899-1908
Amazing and enlightening collection of mostly unrecorded original 4 x 5-inch glass plate negatives believed to have been photographed by Presbyterian missionary Reverand Samuel Spriggs. The Alaska State Library holds a collection of 63 Samuel Spriggs lantern slides, of which we found 25 matches from our collection to the known Spriggs slides at the State Library. This collection represents original Spriggs photos. We find no other collections or archives of Spriggs plates or prints making this a remarkable first-person documentation of life of the Inupiat people at the turn of the 20th century.
Samuel R. Spriggs, along with his wife and young son, served at the Pt. Barrow Presbyterian Mission from 1899-1908. When Rev. Spriggs first came to Barrow he taught school with M. Leander Stevenson, the first missionary in Barrow. He learned Inupiat quickly and was soon preaching in their language. He is fondly remembered among the locals for his ability to squat on the floor, eat and converse with Inupiaq men. The mission, located at the juncture of the Beaufort and Chukchi Sea was an important one for the Presbyterian Church. During the time of Spriggs' tenure Inupiat Eskimos lived a subsistence lifestyle and reindeer had only recently been introduced.
This collection reflects the unique subsistence lifestyle of the people of Barrow (Utqiagvik) and Pt. Barrow (Nuvuk) and the change introduced by Presbyterian mission activities. Many of the photographs relate to Inupiaq traditional activities such as whaling (preparation for hunting, butchering and celebration). Several views show the building of an umiaq or traditional boat.
In addition to whale butchering, we have photos of successful Polar Bear hunts and seal hunts along with drying racks for hides and meat.
Some of the most striking images are portraits of families and students. The interior images reflect an ease or comfort between the Inupiat and Reverand Spriggs with several photographs showing smiles or hints of smiles from the subjects. The Inupiat were mostly wearing their native clothing in these portraits, but several photos show young women wearing imported calico and stripped dresses.
One particularly striking portrait shows 18 Inupiat standing or kneeling surrounding the seated and proud matriarch.
Interestingly, there are a couple photos of apparent aerial views of large groups of natives, likely photographed from the mast of a ship. There are also images of masted ships offshore. United States Revenue Cutters made frequent visits to Barrow as did whaling vessels.
The Presbyterian Mission at Point Barrow was founded in 1890 by Sheldon Jackson. One interior photo lists Jackson's name on a plaque. Jackson would play a major role in the early 1890's with the introduction of reindeer to the Northern Slope. There are two reindeer photos; one with a halter and a second of a native milking the reindeer.
The introduction of domestic reindeer to Point Barrow was part of a broader effort to establish reindeer husbandry in Alaska. Dr. Sheldon Jackson played a significant role in this initiative, promoting the importation of reindeer from Russia to help the Inupiaq people, who were facing food shortages due to over-hunting. Jackson raised funds to purchase the first reindeer and established the Teller Reindeer Station, where skilled reindeer herders were brought to teach the local population about reindeer herding. This program aimed to provide a sustainable food source and improve the livelihoods of the indigenous people in the region. (U.S. Department of Education paper)
We see images of native dwellings and caches plus stick built missionary buildings along with a view of the Mission Church. Includes a striking image of three men and young child working on the frame of a boat, enclosed within a structure with ice walls and canvas ceiling.
The Spriggs family is well represented in images with their son featured in at least 10 images along with a few photographs of the Reverand and Mrs. Spriggs eating or relaxing in their home or posing outside a house.
Collection of plates varies from fair to very good condition. One plate is cracked. Most have emulsion deterioration along edges, but none have flaking or peeling emulsion. Some surface soiling and minor scratching. All are in modern sleeves.
The photography is generally good. The indoor portraits are well composed of proper exposure. Some of the exterior images are remarkably sharp and detailed but as one would presume the harsh conditions limited quality. A small handful are unusable, but they are the exception. We have scanned about 150 of the 217 images. Those not scanned were either similar portrait images (although not duplicates) but valuable to the collection, while others were vastly overexposed or simply poor quality. See scans. A note on the scans. Plates were photographed on a light table and converted digitally into positives. This process, on a number of scans, shows reflections and unnatural lighting artifacts which are not on the actual plates.
Much of the information above is from the Alaska State Library.
Provenance: Acquired through a New England based auction house via a colleague in New York. We have no further information regarding provenance.
Link to the photo collection: https://andy-nettell.smugmug.com/Gallery-42826-101-PM
Due to fragile nature and weight of collection, a $75 shipping surcharge will be added to the cost of collection. Free delivery within a day's drive. Item #2638
Price: $20,000.00