James King Steele Photograph Collection of the Philippines and Other Locations:
Finding Aid photCL 694
Suzanne Oatey
The Huntington Library
January 2023
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Business Number: (626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: James King Steele photograph collection of the Philippines and other
locations
Identifier/Call Number: photCL 694
Physical Description:
7.4 Linear Feet
(7 boxes)
Date (inclusive): approximately
1920-1936
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.
Language of Material: Materials are in
English.
Conditions Governing Access
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at
the Huntington Library for more information.
Conditions Governing Use
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.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Edith Shorb Steele, 1950.
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.
Scope and Contents
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.
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 Characteristics and Technical Requirements
RESTRICTED: Box 7: Negatives housed in cold storage; extended retrieval and delivery time
required.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
China -- Description and travel
Geishas
Hotels
Japan -- Description and travel
Manchuria (China)
Mexico -- Description and travel
National parks and reserves -- West (U.S.) -- Photographs
Philippines -- Description and travel
Philippines -- History --
1898-1946
Philippines -- Photographs
Tourism -- Philippines
Tourists -- Photographs
United States -- Description and travel
Negatives
Photographic postcards
Photographs
Promotional materials
Publicity photographs
Aguinaldo, Emilio,
1869-1964
Fairbanks, Douglas, 1883-1939
Steele, James King, 1875-1937
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.
