James King Steele photograph collection of the Philippines and other locations, approximately 1920-1936

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Summary

Abstract:
A collection of photographs taken for and by travel promoter James King Steele, primarily while living and working in the Philippines. Also some photographs of tourist locations in other countries.
Extent:
7.4 Linear Feet (7 boxes)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. James King Steele photograph collection of the Philippines and other locations, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

Professional photographs and snapshots primarily of various cities, villages, landmarks, and people in the Philippines. There are images of Filipinos in everyday activities and photographs of popular tourist areas and hotels. The collection also includes photographs of Japan, China, Manchuria, Mexico, the Western United States, and others. The photographs were collected or taken by James King Steele, who was active in the Asia tourist industry from approximately 1911 to 1935. Many of the photographs are promotional or press photos, with typed captions from news agencies. Others are snapshots taken by Steele, or professionally-made photographs.

There are approximately 1,800 photographs, dating from approximately 1925 to 1936. They include black-and-white prints in various sizes, many photographic postcards, six color lithographic postcards, and approximately 300 of Steele's film negatives. Most of the negatives have corresponding prints in the collection, but there may be some negatives without prints and prints without negatives.

Biographical / historical:

James King Steele (1875-1937) was an American travel author, editor, and publicist. In 1904, he married Edith Shorb, daughter of James de Barth Shorb. Steele published the Del Monte (California) Weekly from 1908 to 1911, was editor and publisher of the World Traveler from 1911 to 1916, and editor of the travel magazine Japan from 1917 to 1929. He was also the manager of the publication department at Toyo Kisen Kaisha (Oriental Steamship Company). Steele was active in tourist development organizations, including the Philippine Tourist Association from 1930 to 1935, and the Japan Tourist Bureau, which he founded. He lectured, wrote articles on Asia, and presented radio talks on a variety of subjects.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Edith Shorb Steele, 1950.
Processing information:

Processed by Suzanne Oatey in February 2023.

Arrangement:

Organized in three series:

  • Series 1. Philippines, approximately 1925-1936
  • Subseries 1. Photographs by region
  • Subseries 2. Subjects
  • Series 2. Other countries, approximately 1920-1936
  • Series 3. Negatives, approximately 1930-1936
Physical / technical requirements:

RESTRICTED: Box 7: Negatives housed in cold storage; extended retrieval and delivery time required.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

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:

[Identification of item]. James King Steele photograph collection of the Philippines and other locations, 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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