Subseries 4: Photography, 1926 - 1994
Scope and Contents
This subseries consists primarily of the photographic negatives that Washburn donated to the Museum of Science, which represent about half of the photographs taken during his career. The negatives date from about 1926 to about 1994, and represent a variety of black-and-white formats. The images include aerial photographs of mountains, glaciers, and other geographic features; behind-the-scenes images of the cartographic and photographic processes; and snapshots of people, equipment, and locations taken in the course of various expeditions. The photographs span a wide range of locations: the Alps, Alaska and the Yukon, China, the Grand Canyon, and elsewhere. The larger-format negatives (8x10s) are mainly aerial photographs taken between 1937 and 1979; most were taken in Alaska. Also included in this subseries are a small number of photographic prints.
Dates
- 1926 - 1994
Language of Materials
The textual materials are primarily in English. However, this collection does contain materials (primarily correspondence) in languages such as: German, Chinese, French, Russian, Japanese, Polish, and Spanish.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research with the exception of certain files that are listed as restricted. Certain files which contain sensitive legal, financial, or personal information are restricted.
As a preservation measure due to the fragile condition of some materials, access may be restricted to where only Archives staff can handle the materials.
Extent
17.9 Linear Feet (1 letter document boxes; 14 paige boxes; 20 folders; 8,638 negatives)
15 Cubic Feet
Arrangement
The negatives are arranged by negative number (which were assigned by Washburn and reflect the chronological order in which the photographs were taken). Prints are also arranged chronologically. There are some exceptions to the numbering, as later images were occasionally interfiled with the larger run of negatives.
Custodial History
Washburn worked in a range of photographic formats for different private and commercial projects throughout his career. In 1990, he partnered with Antony Decaneas of Panopticon, Inc. to produce and sell fine art prints. To oversee long-term ownership and usage of his estate, a contract was developed in 1999 between Washburn, Panopticon, Inc., the Museum of Science, and the University of Alaska, Fairbanks; both the Museum and the University were granted large collections of negatives and the associated copyright. The Panopticon gallery maintained physical control of Washburn’s negatives and prints and oversaw all commercial usage until after Washburn passed away in 2007. In 2018, the Museum took back its negatives and related material that had previously been stored with Panopticon. The Museum has retained copyright over some 8638 negatives. The University of Alaska, Fairbanks retains their own physical holdings and associated copyright.
Creator
- From the Collection: Washburn, Bradford (Henry Bradford Washburn Jr.), 1910-2007 (Person)
- From the Collection: Washburn, Barbara, 1914-2014 (Person)
- From the Collection: Boston Society of Natural History (1830–1948) (Organization)
- From the Collection: Museum of Science, Boston (Boston, Massachusetts) (Organization)
Repository Details
Part of the Museum of Science, Boston Archives Repository