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National Anthropological Archives
Colonel Alexis B. McMullen photograph and postcard collection relating to West Africa, circa 1943-1944
Summary
- Collection ID:
- NAA.PhotoLot.90-14
- Creators:
-
McMullen, Alexis B. (collector and photographer)
- Dates:
-
circa 1943-1944
- Languages:
-
Undetermined.
- Physical Description:
-
70 Postcards70 photographic postcardssilver gelatin86 Photographic printssilver gelatin
- Repository:
Scope and Contents note
Scope and Contents note
Photographs made and collected by Alexis B. McMullen documenting peoples and culture in West Africa. The images created by McMullen and Captain D. B. McCloskey depict ceremonies at Kibib honoring Ofori Atta, a chief in the Central Province of the Gold Coast; a dance to the god of the sea at Teshi; and fishing boats and equipment. Additionally, the collection contains photographic postcards collected by McMullen and made by Casimir Zagourski, Leopoldville, and Methodist Book Depots, Cape Coast. These show African "types," a Bwake female circumcision ceremony (please note contains graphic images of circumcision), scarification (cicatrization), African animals (including giraffes, elephants, and a hippopotamus), agriculture, dances, and musical instruments. Depicted West African peoples include the Ashanti, Bangala, Banziri, Hausa, Kuba, Kumu, Mangbetu, Mputu and Tutsi.
Biographical/Historical note
Biographical/Historical note
Colonel Alexis B. McMullen participated in American aviation activities for about 50 years. During World War II, he was the commanding officer of a United States Air Corps Air Transport Command (ATC) base in Accra, Ghana (then the Gold Coast).
Administration
Author
Sarah Ganderup
Custodial History note
Donated by Sara Anne Lindsey, Colonel McMullen's daughter, 1990.
Using the Collection
Conditions Governing Access note
The collection is open for research.
Access to the collection requires an appointment.
Conditions Governing Use note
Contact the repository for terms of use.
Preferred Citation note
Photo Lot 90-14, Colonel Alexis B. McMullen photograph and postcard collection relating to West Africa, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution
Location of Other Archival Materials
Location of Other Archival Materials
The National Air and Space Museum Archives Division holds the Colonel Alexis B. McMullen Collection, 1915-1983, documenting McMullen's aviation career and interests.
Location of Other Archival Materials
Additional Zagourski photographs can be found in the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives in EEPA 1987-0024 and the EEPA Postcard Collection.
More Information
Local Call Number(s)
Local Call Number(s)
NAA Photo Lot 90-14
Other Finding Aids note
Other Finding Aids note
Inventory available in repository.
Keywords
National Anthropological Archives
Museum Support Center
4210 Silver Hill Road
Suitland, Maryland 20746
naa@si.edu