[Back to Formatted Version]

Walter A. Soboleff Photographs, 1940-1955

By Zachary R. Jones, Archivist

Collection Overview

Title: Walter A. Soboleff Photographs, 1940-1955

ID: PO/030

Creator: Alaska Native Brotherhoood

Extent: 15.0 Photographs

Date Acquired: 12/12/2007

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This small fifteen image collection contains photographs found in papers donated by Walter A. Soboleff or later donated to SHI. These photos appear to all concern the Alaska Native Brotherhood & Sisterhood during the 1940s or 1950s, excluding one image that captures of view of Andrew Hope, circa 1950.

Thirteen of the images in this collection are Polaroid photographs taken at what appears to be an ANB/ANS banquet held during the 1950s. Most all people in these images are presently unidentified. Importantly, the condition of these Polaroid photographs is poor and blurry, primarily because these images were taken by early handheld Polaroid cameras which produced inexpensive but also poor quality images not designed for to have a long lifespan. A dark yellowish discoloration appears on about half of these images. Some images also appear to have some spill or substance on them, which occurred prior to donation. All images have been placed in preservation sleeves and stored in acid free boxes.

Item 14, consists of an oversized photograph taken by William Paul, Jr., which captures a view of the outskirts downtown Juneau circa 1940. It shows two abandoned buildings. Item 15 captures a view of Andrew Hope sitting at a desk reading, reportedly at a Territorial Legislature gathering, undated, circa 1950.

Note: One additional image not found in this collection from the Soboleff papers has been placed in the oversized collection, PO023. This image captures a view of a Southeast Alaska Native musical band.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Source: Walter A. Soboleff

Acquisition Method: Items 1-14 in the collection were donated to SHI’s Special Collections Research Center in one of the various batches donated to SHI between the period of 2000 and 2007 by life-long member and ranking ANB official Walter A. Soboleff. Soboleff signed an official deed of gift for the materials he donated on Dec. 12, 2007. An additional photo, Item 15, was donated to SHI Special Collections by Water A. Soboleff on August 1, 2009.

Box and Folder Listing

Box 1: PhotographsAdd to your cart.

Item 1: Photo of nine [?] people in suits and dresses at what appears to be an ANB gathering. Men have ANB apparel, circa 1950.

Item 2: Photo of eight people in suits and dresses at what appears to be an ANB gathering. Men have ANB apparel, circa 1950.

Item 3:             Image of people at ANB gathering, blurry, circa 1950.

Item 4: View of women standing, they appear to be wearing ANS apparel, circa 1950.

Item 5: View of people standing in doorway, circa 1950.

Item 6: View of people posing for picture in the room where the party or gathering was held, circa 1950.

Item 7: Snapshot of women in the kitchen, circa 1950.

Item 8: View of people seated at candlelit tables, circa 1950.

Item 9: View of people standing in doorway, circa 1950.

Item 10:           Blurry view of people dancing in traditional regalia, circa 1950.

Item 11:           Blurry view of people dancing in traditional regalia, circa 1950.

Item 12:           View of men seated at tabled, circa 1950.

Item 13:           View of men seated at a table, circa 1950.

Item 14:           View of abandoned buildings in the present day downtown Juneau area, undated. Stamp on reserve states this picture was taken by William Paul, Jr.

Item 15:           Black and white photograph of Andrew Hope sitting at a desk reading paperwork, perhaps at a gathering for the Territorial Legislature, undated, circa 1950.