Schieffelin (Edward) Prospecting Trip in Alaska Photographs, 1882-1883

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Summary

Title:
Photographs of Edward Schieffelin's Prospecting Trip in Alaska
Dates:
1882-1883
Creators:
Farciot, Charles O., photographer
Abstract:
This collection of photographs taken by Charles O. Farciot documents Edward Schieffelin’s gold prospecting trip through Alaska via the Yukon River in 1882 and 1883. Views include many close portraits of Alaskan natives and their families; the towns of St. Michael, Nuklukayet, and Anvik; trading stations; Schieffelin and his dog sled team; and Fort Yukon missionaries interacting with Alaskan natives.
Extent:
45 photographs in 1 album; album 24 x 30 cm. (9 x 12 in.)
Language:
English.
Preferred citation:

Photographs of Edward Schieffelin's Prospecting Trip in Alaska. The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

This album contains 45 photographs taken by Charles O. Farciot that document Edward Schieffelin's gold prospecting trip through Alaska via the Yukon River in 1882 and 1883. Views include many close portraits of Alaskan natives and their families; the towns of St. Michael, Nuklukayet, and Anvik; Fort Yukon; Fort Reliance; trading posts; Schieffelin and his dog sled team; and Fort Yukon missionaries interacting with Alaskan natives; various steamships, including the "New Racket"; the Yukon River; Alaskan native chieftains and shamans; a group of the only Caucasian men in St. Michael; and one view of an Inuit cemetery.

The photographs are mounted double-sided into an accordion fold book album. There are typeset captions, probably created by photographer Charles Farciot. Some refer to photographic exposure and timing.

Biographical / historical:

Charles O. Farciot was born in Switzerland in 1840 and became a United States citizen in 1858. In the course of his life, Farciot learned enough to become a photographer and steamship engineer. After opening photography studios in Arizona, he met Edward Schieffelin, the founder of Tombstone, Arizona. Schieffelin, who was interested in searching for gold in the Yukon, took Farciot along as part of his gold prospecting party to Alaska in 1882. Discouraged by the harsh environment, Schieffelin left in 1883, but Farciot stayed behind to work as a steamship engineer on the Yukon River until at least 1886. Upon leaving Alaska, Farciot opened photograph studios in San Francisco.

Acquisition information:
Gift of M.C. Erskine in 1925.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Note:

Finding aid last updated on October 16, 2014.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Michelle Sanchez.
Date Prepared:
© 2013
Date Encoded:
Machine readable finding aid encoded by Diann Benti in October 2014 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

Photographs of Edward Schieffelin's Prospecting Trip in Alaska. The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2129
reference@huntington.org
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