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Peter E. Palmquist Working Photograph Collection
2003.01
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Title: Peter E. Palmquist Working Photograph Collection
Dates: 1860s-1970s
Collection Number: 2003.01
Creator/Collector:
Peter Palmquist
Extent: Approximately 5,000 images
Online items available
Repository:
Cal Poly Humboldt, Library Special Collections and Archives
Arcata, California 95521-8299
Abstract: The Peter E. Palmquist Working Photograph Collection contains approximately 5,000 images from Northwest California, especially
Humboldt County. 3,700 of these images can be viewed in the Library's Humboldt Room and searched through the Humboldt Room
Photograph Collections database. There is a close association between this collection and major portions of the Peter E. Palmquist
Photograph Collection at the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University.
Language of Material: English
The collection is open for research.
Copyright was not transferred to the HSU Library.
[Identification of item]. Peter E. Palmquist Working Photograph Collection. Collection Number: 2003.01. Cal Poly Humboldt,
Library Special Collections and Archives
In the mid 1990s the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University made arrangements to purchase Palmquist's
vast collection. As planned, different segments of the collection were transferred from Palmquist's Arcata home to the Beinecke
starting in 1999. After Peter's sudden death in January 2003, the schedule for transferring the remainder of the collection
changed and all remaining materials were transferred in 2003. As this transfer process was ending the HSU archivist consulted
with George Miles, Curator of the Beinecke's Western Americana Collection, about the negatives and study prints that Palmquist
had intended to keep for his own use. Mr. Miles stated that they were not going to be included in what would be transferred
to the Beinecke. Later in 2003, the Palmquist heirs and executors donated them to the HSU Library Special Collections.
Biography/Administrative History
Peter Palmquist spent his early years in Oakland, California, then moved to Humboldt County. The family lived outside Ferndale
where Peter attended a one room elementary school. Starting at age 12 he taught himself photography. He graduated from Ferndale
High School and then enlisted in the United State Army. While he was stationed in Paris with the Supreme Headquarters Allied
Powers Europe, he continued his study of photography and began his professional work as photographer. When he returned to
Humboldt County, bringing his young family, he attended Humboldt State College and was employed as the official university
photographer. He held that position long after his 1965 graduation, finally retiring in 1989. Throughout those years Peter
also ran a commercial photography business. Starting in 1971, Palmquist became interested in historical images, an interest
that led him in many directions. He died in 2003 immediately after being gravely injured by a hit and run driver.
At first his interest in old photographs led to studying the history of his own profession and then the lives of past photographers,
but it quickly incorporated an interest in the informational content revealed in a photograph. He started collecting images
taken in northwestern California, but this soon broadened out to include other areas and led to a collection of images from
all of western North America. Later his interest in women who worked in any aspect of photography led to extensive research
in and collecting of photographs by women worldwide. Working with the Women in Photography International Peter developed and
served as curator of the Women in Photography International Archive, which was housed at his home in Arcata. Throughout this
time Peter generously shared the information he was discovering and collecting through numerous writings, exhibits, presentations,
and workshops.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Peter E. Palmquist Working Photograph Collection contains approximately 5,000 images from Northwest California, especially
Humboldt County. 3,700 of these images can be viewed in the Library’s Humboldt Room and searched through the Humboldt Room
Photograph Collections database. There is a close association between this collection and major portions of the Peter E. Palmquist
Photograph Collection at the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University.
From the early 1970s until the time of his death in 2003 Peter Palmquist made copies of photographs that came his way. The
ways that this usually this occurred were: a photograph Palmquist acquired, or borrowed, or viewed in a repository (and ordered
a copy), or by providing reproduction services to authors needing photographs for a publication.
The collection is strongest for 1860s to 1920s time period. Subject matter includes street and town scenes, the lumber industry,
Native American life and ceremonies, ships and shipbuilding, schools, celebrations, landscapes, and portraits. Palmquist made
study prints (4”x5”) and negatives for most of the images from Northwest California, his home region.
Palmquist, Peter E.
Humboldt County (Calif.)--History--Pictorial works
Photographers--California--Humboldt County
Photography--California--Humboldt County--History