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#AKP-23 - 5” x 7” Photo of the office of Dr. W.B. Whitfield, dentist, Ketchikan, Alaska - $100.00 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 (pictured), who set up practice in an upstairs office in that city. According to her daughter Mrs. Whitfield was also the photographer. The photo measures approx. 5” x 7”, including the white margins, which is mounted on an embossed “cabinet” backing card measuring 8” x 10”. Though not captioned, Mrs. Whitfield’s daughter, from whom we bought all these photos, informed us that this photo pictured her father in his Ketchikan office, shortly after moving there. Notable in this photo are the plank floors, and same plank construction also visible above the doorway on the back wall. However, great care has been taken to drape other walls and door with what may be grommeted, white canvas. The wall at the left appears to be draped, which may hide a window. Note also the spare and crude furniture (especially the chair or stool the Dr. is sitting on!), primitive, adjustable “operating” table, double receptacles (for spitting and dirty instruments?), open medical bag and smaller case to its left, the many bottles, boxes, cotton and gauze pledges, and other items on the two shelves at the right, and the light switch to the left of the door with wires leading up the wall to some fixture probably hanging above the “operating area”. An amazing testament to the state of conditions at the frontiers of our country at that time! The condition is VeryGood+, with light bumping of the corners of the backing card, and some sepia toning as the only faults. Otherwise this photograph is in outstanding condition, sharply focused and beautifully contrasted.