Scope and Contents

This collection is composed of two series: (1) 22 stereographs by several publishers, many of which relate to or were actually printed from negatives in the Underwood & Underwood Glass Stereograph Collection; and (2) a pamphlet. The fourth group of cards illustrates certain aspects of how stereographs were used by various companies, including two variant images taken on the sugar levee in New Orleans, apparently in 1893 by a Strohmeyer & Wyman photographer, which later appeared in different versions by other publishers. This demonstrates how two negatives, apparently taken by the same photographer minutes apart, were published by four different publishers, although a nearly identical caption was retained for all five versions of the published photographs.

The other stereographs include comic and genre scenes (posed or staged), travel views, etc. Included is a tinted French tissue published by American Stereoscopic Co.

The pamphlet, published by Underwood & Underwood in 1902, illustrates one of the company's marketing techniques.

Most of these items are in fair to good condition.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into two series.

Series 1: Stereographs

Series 2: Pamphlet

Biographical / Historical

Anne E. Peterson, the donor of this material, is a photographic historian who served as project manager for the Underwood & Underwood Videodisc Project in 1990-1992.

Ms. Peterson earned a B.A. in art history at the University of Texas (Austin) in 1970 and an M.A. in American civilization from George Washington University (Washington, D.C.) in 1980, with a concentration in history of photography and American arts. Working for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Decatur House, and Wilson House from 1975-1980, she was a guest curator at Wilson House for the exhibition and catalogue, Hornblower & Marshall, Architects (1976-1978). From 1978 to 1980 she worked for the Prints and Photographs Division at the Library of Congress, cataloging the Frances Benjamin Johnston photographic collections, and later served as a guest curator at the Library. She was Curator of Photography for the Louisiana State Museum in New Orleans from 1981 1982, and later worked on exhibitions and publications for the Albin O. Kuhn Library and Gallery (University of Maryland Baltimore County) and Lousiana State University (Baton Rouge).

Ms. Peterson became associated with the Archives Center in 1985, working on the Donald Sultner Welles Collection, especially the manuscript material, then worked on the Underwood & Underwood Collection from 1990, during which time she also prepared the Sultner Welles Collection brochure and assisted with the final editing and preparation of the register.

She has lectured and participated in seminars and symposia widely. Her most recent publication at this writing is the book, Frances Benjamin Johnston: The Woman and Her Work.