Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to the Anne E. Peterson Stereograph Collection

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.0402
Creators:
Strohmeyer & Wyman
Young, R.Y.
Underwood & Underwood
American Stereoscopic Co.
Peterson, Anne E. (photographic historian)
H. C. White Co.
Clarke, Edw.
Dates:
circa 1893-1904
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
0.15 Cubic feet
1 box
Repository:

Scope and Contents

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

Arrangement
The collection is arranged into two series.
Series 1: Stereographs
Series 2: Pamphlet

Biographical / Historical

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.

Administration

Author
David Haberstich
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Collection donated by Anne E. Peterson, 1990, December 31.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by David E. Haberstich, curator, Archives Center.
Custodial History
The donor purchased these items from dealers over a 15-year period. The first group was donated in 1990. One Underwood & Underwood stereograph variant (a cotton series variant) and the pamphlet were donated in 1992.
Details on the history of the production of stereographs in the United States can be found in general works such as The World of Stereographs by William Culp Darrah. These stereographs and the pamphlet were acquired by the donor from commercial photographica dealers over approximately a fifteen year period. The collection includes two accessions, the majority of the items having been donated in 1991. This was followed in 1992 by the donation of items 22 and 23 on the container list.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Access
Unrestricted research use on site. Photographs must be handled with white cotton gloves, unless they are housed in plastic sleeves.
Preferred Citation
Anne E. Peterson Stereograph Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Tissue stereographs Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Pamphlets -- 1900-1910 Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographs -- Black-and-white photoprints -- 1890-1910 Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Cotton -- 1890-1910 Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Sugar trade -- 1900-1910 -- New Orleans Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Stereographs -- 1890-1910 Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Rome (Italy) -- 1890-1910 Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
New Orleans (La.) Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Courtship -- 1890-1910 Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Racism -- 1890-1910 Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Brussels (Belgium) -- 1890-1910 Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Chartres (France) -- 1890-1910 Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Bavaria (Germany) -- 1890-1910 Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Berlin (Germany) -- 1890-1910 Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Ethnic imagery Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
New York (N.Y.) -- 1890-1910 Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Central Park (New York, N.Y.) -- 1890-1910 Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Germany -- 1890-1910 Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
McKinley, William, 1843-1901 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Vatican Library (Rome, Italy) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
Business Number: Phone: 202-633-3270
Fax Number: Fax: 202-786-2453
archivescenter@si.edu