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#AKP-20 - “Ketchikan, Alaska - July 4, 1900” - $65.00 One of more than 100 photos we purchased from the estate of Mrs. W. B. Whitfield, who, in 1900, traveled to Ketchkan, Alaska with her dentist husband, who set up practice in that city. According to her daughter she was also the photographer. The photo measures 5” x 6.5”, and has been mounted on a backing card trimmed to the same size. It is one of 3 similar photos taken at the same event on the same day. The title above is part of a caption written in pencil on the back side of the card. The full text of the caption reads: “Ketchikan, Alaska - July 4, 1900 - Tug of War - Whites vs. Siwash --- D.S.W.” The photo shows two groups of 9 men each, already straining against each other. Two to three foot-long “cleats” appear to have been nailed to the boardwalk, along the full length of the rope, in order to provide more or less equal purchase against which to hold a position... until their arms or legs give out, that is! The other aspect of this photo are the commercial buildings and signage in view. Starting at the extreme right, the signs read: “Meat M-----”; “J.R. Heckman & Co.” on the facing end of the building; “J.R. Heckman & Co. - General Merchandise” (over the boardwalk at the far end of the building); “Rainier Be(er)” (a faint sign on the roof of the building that spans the far end of the street... the missing letters being obscured by a flag); “The Cabinet” (on the facing end wall of the building on the left); “Shoe --ke- ----?”; “Dr. Story - Upstairs”; “Dr. Whitfield - Dentist - Up Stairs”; “Dentist”; “Ketchikan Restaurant”; “Bakery - Confectionery”.; and “Beds 25”.. all of these latter signs being on the front of the building on the left, with the last one possible wrapping around onto the upper wall of the building at the end of the street. The majority of the people in the photo are looking towards the camera. The condition is Good+, with light bumping and rubbing at the corners and edges, small creases and chips at the UL and LR corners, and a short crease and small chip at the center of the left edge. The most notable fault is the apparent under contrasting and sepia-toning of the image. A few fly specks and other small spots, the largest being about 1/16”, do not seriously affect the image.