Philippines Series 1
approximately
1925-1936
Physical Description: 5.9 Linear
Feet (5 boxes)
Scope and Contents
Photographs in the first subseries are grouped by provinces, cities, or natural
landmarks in the Philippines. The photographs were arranged in these locations when
received. Besides scenery, the images include residents, houses, hotels, clubs, street
scenes, buildings, churches, and agriculture. The second subseries contains photographs
by topic, and includes some events in the United States related to the Philippines.
There are also images of Steele and notable visitors to the Philippines.
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically.
Photographs by region Subseries 1
Box 1, Folder 1
Albay: Legaspi and Mount Mayan
Box 1, Folder 3, Box 1, Folder 4
Cebu
Scope and Contents
Folder 3 contains six color photolithograph postcards of residents and scenery.
Backs of cards say "Photochrom."
Box 1, Folder 5
Hundred Islands National Park
Box 1, Folder 7, Box 1, Folder 8
Box 2, Folder 1
Luzon: Batangas and Lake Taal
Box 2, Folder 2
Luzon: Mountain Province, Baguio
Box 2, Folder 3
Luzon: Mountain Province, People and activities
Box 2, Folder 4
Luzon: Mountain Province, Rice terraces
Box 2, Folder 5
Luzon: Mountain Province, Roads and driving
Box 2, Folder 6
Luzon: Miscellaneous large prints
Box 3, Folder 1
Manila: Aerial photographs
Box 3, Folder 2
Manila: Bay View Hotel opening
1932
Scope and Contents
Includes a typed promotional article and captions for publicity photographs.
Box 3, Folder 3
Manila: Buildings and sites, various
Box 3, Folder 5
Manila: People and activities
Scope and Contents
Two subjects: Men and women making bakya (wooden shoes); and "flagellants of
Malabon," men with bloody backs from self-flagellation as a religious rite.
Box 3, Folder 6
Manila: People and activities (small prints)
Box 3, Folder 7
Manila: People and activities (large prints)
Box 3, Folder 9
Manila: Wack Wack Golf and Country Club
Box 4, Folder 3
Palawan: Subterranean river and caves
Box 4, Folder 4, Box 4, Folder 5
Box 4, Folder 6
Tayabas vicinity: Atimonan and Siain
Box 4, Folder 10
Zamboanga: Various locations
Box 5, Folder 1
Captions for promotional photographs
Box 5, Folder 2
Douglas Fairbanks and Emilio Aguinaldo in Manila
1931
Scope and Contents
Photographs of actor Douglas Fairbanks during a visit to the Philippines to film a
movie in 1931. He is seen at a reception with General Emilio Aguinaldo and other
dignitaries.
Box 5, Folder 3
Filipinos, various portraits and activities
Box 5, Folder 4
Inter-island ships
approximately 1930-1936
Box 5, Folder 5
James King Steele and visitors to the Philippines
Scope and Contents
Photographs of Steele, alone and with visitors or associates. One photograph of
Aimee Semple McPherson holding flowers, approximately 1931.
Box 5, Folder 6
Philippine Islands Day at Chicago World's Fair
1933
Scope and Contents
Photographs of the exhibits and festivities at the fair, officially known as the
Century of Progress International Exposition in Chicago. James King Steele is seen
in a rattan wheelchair.
Box 5, Folder 7
Philippine Islands flag raised in New York, 1932
Box 5, Folder 8
Philippine Tourist Association offices
approximately 1930-1931
Box 5, Folder 9
Unidentified places and scenes
Other countries Series 2
approximately 1920-1936
Physical Description: 1.2 Linear
Feet (1 box)
Scope and Contents
Photographs of destinations worldwide that were promoted in the Asian tourist industry.
Includes promotional photographs and informal snapshots by Steele. Many scenes of
tourists sightseeing. Most folders contain fewer than 10 photographs.
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically.
Box 6, Folder 1
Australia and New Zealand
Scope and Contents
One image of a Maori man receiving a facial tattoo, New Zealand. Mostly Pan-Pacific
Press photographs, with typed captions.
Box 6, Folder 2
Canada (Western)
Scope and Contents
Two images of totems in British Columbia.
Box 6, Folder 3
China
approximately 1925-1935
Scope and Contents
Includes Shanghai street scenes, a bird seller, jade pagodas.
Box 6, Folder 5
Japan
approximately 1928-1936
Scope and Contents
Includes three images of geishas.
Box 6, Folder 7
Manchukuo (Manchuria)
1932-1933
Scope and Contents
Many press photographs of officials and events related to the signing of the
Japan-Manchukuo Protocol in 1932 and the first anniversary of the establishment of
Manchukuo in 1933. Includes portraits of Manchukuo government leaders.
Box 6, Folder 9
South America
Scope and Contents
A few images of Chile, Ecuador, and Peru.
Box 6, Folder 10
Soviet Union
Scope and Contents
Four promotional photographs with printed text of Kiev, Moscow, and Crimea, which is
described as the "vacationland of the Soviet Union."
Box 6, Folder 11
United States: Alaska; California
Scope and Contents
Scenery in Alaska; Furnace Creek Inn in Death Valley, California; and a desert train
station in Palm Springs, California.
Box 6, Folder 12
United States: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California
Box 6, Folder 13
United States: Hawaii; Sun Valley, Idaho; New Mexico
Box 6, Folder 14
United States: Oregon Caves; The Alamo, Texas; aerial view of Seattle,
Washington
Box 6, Folder 15
United States National Parks: Glacier National Park
Box 6, Folder 16
United States National Parks: Grand Canyon; Yellowstone; Yosemite
Scope and Contents
Some images of James King Steele with Japanese travelers in Yosemite.
Box 7
Negatives Series 3
approximately 1925-1936
Physical Description: 0.4 Linear
Feet (1 box)
Scope and Contents
Approximately 300 black-and-white film negatives of the Philippines, China, and Japan,
taken by James King Steele. They are chiefly 3 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches, and most have
corresponding prints in Series 1, but there may be some negatives without prints.
Philippines locations are: Albay; Cavite City; Cebu; Hundred Islands; Jolo; Laguna;
Luzon; Manila; Negros; Panay; Tayabas (Atimonan, Siain). There are fewer negatives for
China (Peking and unidentified), and for Japan (Kyoto and unidentified).
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
RESTRICTED: Negatives housed in cold storage; extended retrieval and delivery time
required.