Collection of Photographs of Alaskan Natives Issued to Promote Alaskan Tourism

Published by Alaska, 1953

About this Item

A collection of 33 black and white photographs, 30 measuring approximately 10 x 8", two measuring 7 x 5", and one measuring 5.25 x 4". Many of the images bear photographer's stamps on the backs, a couple are dated 1953, and 22 of the images include printed or handwritten captions. 26 of the photographs depict Alaskan Native subjects, focusing on Native culture, traditions, and dress. These include photos of craftspeople at work, a group of drummers, a male performer (captioned "rock n' roll Arctic style"), elderly women, young children, and a few images of Native beauty queens in Kotzebue, Alaska (one captioned "Contestants for 'Miss Arctic Circle,' a title bestowed at Kotzebue every Fourth of July, are judged for their parkas as well as their beauty"). The collection also includes five images of Native art (chiefly totem poles), an ocean view, and an image of a Caucasian "Carnival Queen" in Fairbanks. The images were used to promote tourism to Alaska, and are credited to Wien Alaska Airlines, the Alaska Visitor's Association, and Pacific Northern Airlines; photographers named include Don Knudsen and Frank Whaley (the latter worked for Wien Alaska Airlines). The images belonged to Kathryn Winslow, of Chicago, with her name stamps. Winslow was a reporter for the Chicago Tribune and a novelist; these images may have been used as research for her first book, Big Pan Out: The Story of the Klondike Gold Rush," published in 1951.

Seller Inventory # 10470

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Collection of Photographs of Alaskan Natives Issued to Promote Alaskan Tourism
• Publisher: Alaska
• Publication Date: 1953
• Seller catalogs:
  • Western Americana