ca. 1860-1964; bulk: ca. 1875-1898
Guide to the Photograph Collection
Restrictions on Access
There are restrictions on the use of this collection. Glass plate negatives and lantern slides of any size are not available for research use. Copy photographs or scans may be available for alternative viewing. Consult the Reference Librarian for more information.
Abstract
This collection consists primarily of photographs taken by Francis Blake, ca. 1875-1898. These images are mainly portraits of the Blake family, various relatives, and friends; Francis Blake's family estate, Keewaydin, in Weston, Mass.; the Blakes' travels to the Glen House Hotel in Glen, N.H. and the Payson family farm in Peoria County, Ill.; and Blake's experimentations with instantaneous and high-speed photography.
Biographical Sketch
Francis Blake (1850-1913) was born in Needham, Mass., the son of Caroline Burling (Trumbull) and Francis Blake, Sr. Known widely as the inventor of the Blake Transmitter for telephone communications, Blake was a respected physicist who also worked on the United States Coast Survey from his teenage years through early adulthood (1866-1878); was responsible for the design of his elaborate family estate, Keewaydin, in Weston, Mass.; and was a serious amateur photographer. He married Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard (1849-1941) in 1874, and together they had two children: Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald (b. 1876) and Benjamin Sewall Blake (b. 1877).
Francis Blake's interest in photography began in 1884, and that year, he built an extensive photographic laboratory on the grounds of Keewaydin. A member of the progressive Society of Amateur Photographers of New York and the Boston Camera Club, Blake's photographic interests included portraiture of family and friends, as well as landscape views of Keewaydin and other locations. However, he was most highly regarded for his work with high-speed photography. In the mid-1880s, Blake designed a distinctive focal-plane shutter that allowed him to take photographs with exposure times of 1/1000 to 1/2000 of a second. The resulting stop-action images of trains, birds, horses, bicyclists, and athletes were exhibited in Boston, Philadelphia, and London from 1891 to 1893, to critical acclaim, and his photos of tennis players in motion were included in the 1893 textbook Practical Lawn-Tennis, by former tennis champion James Dwight. Blake also published an article on his research in high-speed photography, "Photographic Shutters," which was printed in two respected photography journals, American Amateur Photographer and Anthony's Photographic Bulletin, in 1891.
Collection Description
The Francis Blake photographs contains 1004 photographs in 9 albums (in cases), 1 oversize album (in case), 3 regular boxes, 1 narrow box, and 3 oversize boxes; 1 album of unnumbered photographs; 1 daguerreotype; 283 lantern slides in 16 boxes; 154 small glass plate negatives in 9 boxes; 627 medium glass plate negatives in 30 boxes; 25 glass plate positives in 3 boxes; one box of camera filters belonging to Francis Blake; and one box containing three photo notebooks kept by Francis Blake from 1886-1898.
The bulk of this collection consists of photographs taken by Francis Blake from ca. 1884-1898. Subjects include portraits of various Blake family members and friends and views of Keewaydin from 1884-1893, the Glen House Hotel in Glen, N.H., ca. 1884-1886, and the Payson family farm in Mossville, Ill., 1885. The collection also includes loose duplicate prints and enlargements that Francis Blake made from some of the original prints in the albums, as well as one album composed of reprints of select photos from various earlier albums. The lantern slides and glass plate negatives contain images from Francis Blake's experimentations with high-speed photography, for which many do not have prints.
There are also a number of photographs in the collection taken by commercial photographers. These include portraits of the various Blake, Hubbard, Sewall, Jackson, Cobb, Payson, and Young family members; portraits of Francis Blake himself; and photographs of the Blake family ancestral home and gravesites in England. Photographers include William A. Webster (Waltham, Mass.); W. Notman (Boston, Mass.); Allen & Rowell (Boston, Mass.); A. Sonrel (Boston, Mass.); Ludovici's Photographic and Crayon Studios (New York, N.Y.); Sarony's (New York, N.Y.); and C. A. Gandy (London), among many others. Additionally, there are also a number of loose photographs taken by Blake family friend William deYoung Field of his family and home in Telluride, Colo.
This collection includes cartes de visite, cabinet cards, a daguerreotype, tintypes, stereographs, lantern slides, glass plate negatives, glass positives, and card photograph albums.
Acquisition Information
Albums 5-6 and 9-10 were donated to the Massachusetts Historical Society by the Mark Twain House in July 1997. Photos. #6.3.1086M-6.3.1090M and #57.833a were a gift of Ruth Oliver Joliffe in June 2004. The remaining material in this collection was removed from the Francis Blake papers, which were given to the MHS by the descendants of Francis Blake in May 1964.
Restrictions on Access
There are restrictions on the use of this collection. Glass plate negatives and lantern slides of any size are not available for research use. Copy photographs or scans may be available for alternative viewing. Consult the Reference Librarian for more information.
Box / Album List
Sewall-Hubbard family album, ca. 1860-1870
Blake family album, ca. 1870-1880
Blake family album, ca. 1876-1891
Glen House, Glen, N.H., ca. 1884-1886
Portraits, ca. 1884-1890
Stored in oversize.Keewaydin, ca. 1884-1885
Payson Farm, 1885
Keewaydin, 1893 (1)
Keewaydin, 1893 (2)
Compilation of photographs by Francis Blake, ca. 1893
Portraits of family and friends
Loose photographs removed from albums
Loose photographs from the Francis Blake papers.
Portraits: Individual portraits and group portraits, Blake
Portraits: Group portraits, Blake-Schwab
Views
Duplicate photographs
Francis Blake photo notebooks
Oversize portraits and views: Large
Oversize portraits and views: Extra-large
Oversize portraits and views: Extra-large
Restricted access photographs
These photographs are restricted. See the Detailed Description of the Collection for more information.
Lantern slides
Glass plate negatives: Small
Filters
Stored with small glass plate negatives in Photo. Coll. 6.3.Glass plate negatives: Medium
Glass plate positives
Stored with medium glass plate negatives in Photo. Coll. 6.3.Detailed Description of the Collection
I. Photograph albums
11 albums (in cases).The albums in this series are arranged chronologically. Albums 1-4 were removed from the Francis Blake papers in July 2002. Their volume numbers correspond to those given them in the arrangement of the Francis Blake papers. Volume 37 remains stored with the Francis Blake papers (Series. Photographs, ca. 1860-1900), as it does not contain photographic material.
A. Album 1 (Vol. 33): Sewall-Hubbard family album, ca. 1860-1870
52 cartes de visite of members of the Sewall and Hubbard families, ancestors of Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard Blake. Individuals represented include Benjamin Sewall, Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard Blake, Charles Townsend Hubbard, and the Jackson, Monroe, Cobb, and Payson families, among many others. Photographers include A. Sonrel (Boston, Mass.), Richardson (Boston, Mass.), and Sarony's (New York, N.Y.). Most of the photographs are identified.
B. Album 2 (Vol. 34): Blake family album, ca. 1870-1880
39 cabinet card portraits of members of the Blake family. Individuals represented include Francis Blake, Benjamin Sewall Blake, Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard Blake, Louisa Jackson, and Sophia Cobb, among many others. Photos. #57.86-88 are photos of France. Photographers include William A. Webster (Waltham, Mass.), W. Notman (Boston, Mass.), Allen & Rowell (Boston, Mass.), and Ludovici's Photographic and Crayon Studios (New York, N.Y.). None of the photographs are identified. Photos. #57.78-79 were taken by Francis Blake.
C. Album 3 (Vol. 35): Blake family album, ca. 1876-1891
48 photographs of Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, Benjamin Sewall Blake, Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard Blake, Henry Silas Payson, and Francis Blake, among others. All photographs in this album were taken by Francis Blake, unless otherwise noted.
Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, 1876
Photographer unknown.Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald and Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard Blake, 1876
Photographer unknown.Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald and Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard Blake, 1876
Photographer unknown.Benjamin Sewall Blake and Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, ca. 1880
Photographer unknown.Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald and Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard Blake, ca. 1877
Photographer unknown.Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald and Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard Blake, ca. 1877
Photographer unknown.Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, ca. 1879-1880
Photographer unknown.Benjamin Sewall Blake, ca. 1880
Photographer unknown.Benjamin Sewall Blake, 1886
Taken by Webster (Waltham, Mass.).1 loose duplicate in collection.Benjamin Sewall Blake, 1886
Benjamin Sewall Blake, ca. 1881-1882
Taken by Webster (Waltham, Mass.).3 loose duplicates in collection.Portrait of Benjamin Sewall Blake,ca. 1882
Inscription: "Benjamin in dining room arm chair."Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald and Benjamin Sewall Blake in the conservatory at Keewaydin, 26 Apr. 1887
Benjamin Sewall Blake, May 1886
Inscription: "Agnes says this look as he does when he is just going to get up + kiss his Momma."Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, n.d.
Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, n.d.
Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, Benjamin Sewall Blake, and their dogs, n.d.
Benjamin Sewall Blake and Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald jumping, n.d.
Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald jumping, n.d.
Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald and two dogs, Oct. 1884.
1 loose duplicate in collection.Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald pulling Benjamin Sewall Blake in a cart, 1884
2 loose duplicates in collection.Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald and three dogs, n.d.
Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald and three dogs, Nov. 1884
2 loose duplicates in collection.Portrait of Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, 1885
1 loose duplicate in collection.Benjamin Sewall Blake, 2 June 1886
Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald in chair, n.d.
Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald in chair, n.d.
Benjamin Sewall Blake sitting in chair, n.d.
Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, 11 May 1890
2 loose duplicates in collection.Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, 11 May 1890
Agnes and Benjamin Sewall Blake, n.d.
Benjamin Sewall Blake, n.d.
Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald on horse at Keewaydin, n.d.
Benjamin Sewall Blake in armchair, n.d.
Benjamin Sewall Blake, n.d.
Benjamin Sewall Blake, n.d.
Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald sitting in chair, 1885
Benjamin Sewall Blake, July 1891
Benjamin Sewall Blake, n.d.
Agnes and Benjamin Sewall Blake in conservatory at Keewaydin, 26 Apr. 1887
Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, 11 May 1890
1 loose duplicate in collection.Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, July or Aug. 1889
1 loose duplicate in collection.Inscription: "Agnes by an urn on the terrace."Benjamin Sewall Blake and Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald standing in the trees, Winter 1890?
Benjamin Sewall Blake and Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, July 1891
Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald on horse, n.d.
Benjamin Sewall Blake, Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard Blake, and Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, Winter ca. 1889-1890
Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald and dog, n.d.
Henry Silas Payson, Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard Blake, Benjamin Sewall Blake, and Francis Blake, n.d.
Inscription: "Cy Payson Agnes E.L.H. Blake Benj. Francis Blake on the grass tennis courts."D. Album 4 (Vol. 36): Glen House, ca. 1884-1886
78 photographs taken by Francis Blake of the Glen House Hotel in Glen, N.H., ca. 1884-1886. The photographs include views of the interior of the hotel and forest, river, and landscape views of the White Mountains. Also represented in the photographs are Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard Blake, Benjamin Sewall Blake, Henry Silas Payson, George S. Swasey, Franklin Leavitt, and Henry Clay Barnabee, among others.
Approach to Glen House, 1884
Approach to Glen House, 1884
[Clipping regarding fire at the Glen House]
Glen House, n.d.
Glen House desk, n.d.
Glen House fireplace, n.d.
Glen House private parlor, n.d.
Glen House private parlor, n.d.
George S. Swasey at the bar of Glen House, n.d.
George S. Swasey at the bar of Glen House, n.d.
Leo the dog at Glen House, n.d.
Cattle at Glen House, n.d.
Carriage and horses, Glen House, n.d.
[Notes regarding distances up summit; 9 Sep. 1884]
Thayer's summit team, [1884]
Organ grinder at Glen House, n.d.
View of the White Mountains from Glen House, n.d.
View of the White Mountains from Glen House, n.d.
View at Glen House, n.d.
Glen House view, n.d.
River at Glen House, n.d.
River at Glen House, n.d.
"'Castle' at Crystal Cascade. B. F. Osgood," n.d.
Wooded path, n.d.
Wooded path, n.d.
[There is no Photo. 57.164 in this collection.]
Unidentified river at Glen, n.d.
Unidentified river at Glen, n.d.
Thompson's Falls, n.d.
Crystal Cascade, n.d.
Glen Ellis Falls, n.d.
Unidentified river, n.d.
View of woods, n.d.
View of woods, n.d.
View of ferns in the woods, n.d.
View of woods, n.d.
View of woods, n.d.
Unidentified river at Glen, n.d.
Unidentified river at Glen, n.d.
Emerald Pool, n.d.
Unidentified river at Glen, n.d.
Unidentified river at Glen, n.d.
Unidentified river at Glen, n.d.
Unidentified river at Glen, n.d.
Unidentified river at Glen, n.d.
Unidentified river at Glen, n.d.
Unidentified river at Glen, n.d.
Benjamin Sewall Blake, unidentified woman, Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard Blake, and Silas Payson on bridge, n.d.
Benjamin Sewall Blake, Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard Blake, Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, and Silas Payson sitting on rock, n.d.
Unidentified river, n.d.
Boulders, n.d.
Group portrait of 10 men on a porch, n.d.
Group portrait of 7 men (Francis Blake sitting second from right), n.d.
New Glen House, 1885
New Glen House, 1885
New Glen House bar (George S. Swasey asleep in chair), 1885
George S. Swasey at the Glen House bar, 1885
Private parlor, New Glen House, 1885
Private parlor, New Glen House, 1885
Interior of room, 1885
Benjamin Sewall Blake sleeping in a chair by a window, 1885
Fireplace, 1885
Bookcase, 1885
Toll house at Glen, n.d.
Toll house at Glen, n.d.
Landscape at Glen, n.d.
View of the White Mountains from Glen House, n.d.
View of the White Mountains from Glen House, n.d.
View of the White Mountains, n.d.
Nedy's [F.A. Kennedy's] 4-horse carriage (Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald in front seat, facing camera), Glen House, n.d.
[Two sheets of Leavitt's Poems of the White and Franconia Mountains, N.H., by Franklin Leavitt]
Franklin Leavitt, 1886
Franklin Leavitt, 1886
Henry Clay Barnabee, n.d.
Henry Clay Barnabee, n.d.
Silas Payson, Francis Blake, Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, and Benjamin Sewall Blake, n.d.
Francis Blake, Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, Silas Payson, and Benjamin Sewall Blake sitting on rock, n.d.
Francis Blake, Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, Silas Payson, and Benjamin Sewall Blake sitting on rock, n.d.
"The Cowboys' at Glen House, Sep. 1885" (Mr. James Whittemore at right)
Cattle at Glen, n.d.
Cattle at Glen, n.d.
Cow at Glen, n.d.
Cow at Glen, n.d.
[There is no Photo. #57.221 in this collection.]
E. Album 5: Portraits, ca. 1884-1890
Stored in oversize.115 portraits taken by Francis Blake of family and friends. Subjects include Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, Benjamin Sewall Blake, Charles Townsend Hubbard, Louisa Sewall Jackson (later Dyer), Margaret Young (later Emmons), Charlotte Young (later Tudor), John P. Lyman, T. R. (Thomas Russell) Sullivan, William A. Whitwell, Frederick Thomas Bush, Charles Green Bush, William Dean Howells, and Henry Silas Payson, among others.
Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, n.d.
8 loose duplicates in collection.Benjamin Sewall Blake, n.d.
Charles Townsend Hubbard, n.d.
Louisa Sewall Jackson (later Dyer), n.d.
Louisa Sewall Jackson (later Dyer) and S. M. Lawrence [?], n.d.
Louisa Sewall Jackson (later Dyer), n.d.
Francis Blake, n.d.
Signed by himself.Unidentified man, n.d.
Louisa Sewall Jackson (later Dyer), n.d.
Unidentified man, n.d.
Louisa Sewall Jackson (later Dyer), n.d.
Margaret Young (later Emmons), n.d.
Charlotte Young (later Tudor), n.d.
Unidentified infant, n.d.
Benjamin Loring Young [?] (or William Tudor), n.d.
Unidentified woman, n.d.
Mabel Davis [?], n.d.
Julia Wells [?], n.d.
Unidentified woman, n.d.
Julia Wells, n.d.
Kate Hubbard, n.d.
Sophie Smith, n.d.
Unidentified woman, n.d.
Unidentified man, n.d.
John P. Lyman, n.d.
Unidentified man, n.d.
Sophie Cobb, n.d.
Thomas Russell Sullivan, n.d.
William A. Whitwell, n.d.
S.M. Lawrence, n.d.
Unidentified woman, n.d.
Frederick Thomas Rush, n.d.
Unidentified man, n.d.
Charles Townsend Hubbard, n.d.
Unidentified man, n.d.
Unidentified woman, n.d.
Unidentified man, n.d.
C. G. Bush, n.d.
Unidentified man, n.d.
C. G. Bush, n.d.
William Dean Howells, n.d.
William deYoung Field, Benjamin F. Field, Jr., and C. G. Bush in costume, n.d.
C. G. Bush in costume, n.d.
William deYoung Field in costume, n.d.
Aletta [Payson?], n.d.
Unidentified man reading, n.d.
Mrs. [ ] Payson, n.d.
S. M. Lawrence, n.d.
Silas Payson, n.d.
S. M. Lawrence, n.d.
Dog on stool, n.d.
Unidentified girls, n.d.
Unidentified men, n.d.
Frederick Thomas Bush and unidentified young girl, n.d.
Unidentified man, n.d.
Frederick Thomas Bush, n.d.
B. Loring Young [?] (or William Tudor), n.d.
John P. Lyman, n.d.
Russell Sullivan, n.d.
Unidentified man, n.d.
Henry Silas Payson, n.d.
Henry Clay Barnabee, n.d.
Benjamin Sewall Blake jumping, n.d.
Henry Clay Barnabee, n.d.
Unidentified people, n.d.
Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, n.d.
Francis Blake, n.d.
Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, n.d.
2 loose duplicates in collection.Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, n.d.
1 loose duplicate in collection.Unidentified woman, n.d.
Charlotte Young, n.d.
Unidentified boy, n.d.
S. M. Lawrence, n.d.
F. Album 6: Keewaydin, ca. 1875-1880
87 photographs taken by Francis Blake of the Blake family estate, Keewaydin, in Weston, Mass. from 1884-1885, just after the first renovations by the architectural firm of Cabot & Chandler had been completed on the house in July 1884. The photographs are mostly of the interior rooms, artwork, fixtures, and furniture of the house, including views of Blake's machine shop, photography laboratory, and the Blake family wall telephone, featuring Francis Blake's invention, the Blake transmitter. There are also views of the grounds of Keewaydin, one portrait of Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, and three high-speed photographs of the Boston & Albany train passing along the edge of the Keewaydin property.
Most of the photographs are undated.
Front hall
Mantelpiece in morning room
Fireplace in library
Dining room (taken from hall)
Stained glass window in main hall
Fireplace in dining room (taken from library)
Dining room (taken from window seat)
Dining room (taken from hall)
Portrait of Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald hanging in hallway of second story
Painted panel in library ceiling
Detail of painted panel in dining room ceiling
Parlor (taken from front hall)
Fireplace in parlor
[missing]
Artwork from Keewaydin
[missing: clocks in library]
[missing: clocks in library]
Wall anemometer
L. Casella recording clock
Theater
Bowling alley
Machine shop
Conservatory
View out the west driveway
Sundial in sunken garden
[missing]
Horse-drawn carriage on the grounds of Keewaydin
Library interior
Library ("tobacco corner")
Horse-drawn wagon ("Pluta's cart")
Lake
Wall telephones in main hall
[missing]
Cow (at Payson Farm, Peoria County, Ill.)
Sculpture from Keewaydin
Photograph of program for "A Very Odd Trick," play performed at Keewaydin theater, 1885
Stage setting in the theater: "Les Deux Timides" scene
Theater
Keewaydin before bricks (looking north)
[missing: Keewaydin, looking southwest]
[missing: morning-room mantle]
Silver punch bowl and ladle in shape of cattail
Silver object
Bust of Joshua [?] Blake
[missing]
[missing: grounds of Keewaydin in winter, looking towards reservoir]
[missing: "snow scene" from library window]
"Down the hill in the snow"
Caption taken from duplicate print in Album 10.
Keewaydin in winter
Painted crest with the motto "pour bien desirer"
"Diagram for Combination Rheostat & Galvanometer made for Francis Blake by Charles William, Jr., Boston, 1885"
Keewaydin from the bottom of the hill
Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald on Dolly, the pony
1 loose duplicate in collection.Vases
Skeleton of horse
Machine shop
[missing]
Machine shop
Photography room
Artwork
"Portrait of Fuki"
Clock in library
Boiler room
Balustrade looking towards the Charles River in winter (taken from library window)
1 loose duplicate in collection.Looking out the conservatory window to sunken garden
Keewaydin from the sunken garden
Keewaydin from the sunken garden, conservatory on left
Cottage, theater on left
Cottage, theater, boiler room, shop
Sunken garden
View from the balustrade
Mantelpiece in morning room, crest carved by Italian cutters
[Clipping regarding Francis Blake's photographs of the Boston & Albany train]
"48 miles per hour": views of the Boston & Albany passenger train
View of passenger train in motion
Man in horse-drawn carriage
Friday the dog
Keewaydin in winter
View of passenger train in motion
G. Album 7: Payson Farm, 1885
87 photographs taken by Francis Blake of the Payson family farm in Peoria County, Ill. Subjects include views of the farm, outbuildings, fields, and environs; cattle; sheep-shearing; farm-hands; Henry Silas Payson; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Robey Payson; Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard Blake; Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald; Benjamin Sewall Blake; and Francis Blake.
Views of farm
Views of farmhouse
Pump in the farmhouse yard
[There are no Photos 57.434-443 in this collection.]
Views of interior of house
Indian relics found on Payson Farm
Artwork from Payson Farm house
Sewing machine
Wood stove
Flowers in a jar
Windmill
Apiary
Views of out-buildings on farm
Sandy the dog
Unidentified man with horse and foal
Unidentified man in a horse-drawn cart
Unidentified man in a horse-drawn cart
Unidentified White family member riding a mule-drawn plow
Two horses in yoke and harnesses, belonging to the Whites
Cows
Sheep grazing on the hillside
Sheep-shearing
Aletta [ ] (maid for the Payson family at Payson Farm)
Three musicians
Fritz [ ] hoeing (workman on the Payson Farm)
Louis [ ] standing at the pump (workman on the Payson Farm)
Fritz [ ]
White family children
Unidentified man leading horse
Farm-hands on Payson Farm
James White
Mrs. James White
Aletta [ ] (married to Louis [ ])
Louis [ ]
Fritz [ ]
Fredericka [ ]
Gus [ ]
August [ ]
John White
Dave [ ]
Rob [ ]
Landscape photographs of farm and environs
Henry Silas Payson in farm costume
Henry Silas Payson
Henry Robey Payson
Henry Robey Payson
Mrs. Henry Robey Payson
Mrs. Henry Robey Payson
Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard Blake, 1885
1 loose duplicate in collection.Francis Blake
Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald
Benjamin Sewall Blake
8 loose duplicates in collection.Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, 1885
Henry Robey Payson, Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard Blake, and Henry Silas Payson
Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald with Romeo
H. Album 8: Keewaydin, 1893 (1)
Two duplicate albums of photographs taken by Francis Blake of Keewaydin, ca. 1893, after the complete bricking of the exterior of the house was finished in 1893. The images include both interior and exterior views of the house and grounds. Album 8 contains 32 photographs. Album 9 contains 25 photographs.
Keewaydin estate
Keewaydin from a distance
Keewaydin from the lake
Keewaydin from the lake
Keewaydin from the sunken garden
The sunken garden at Keewaydin
Waterworks reservoir and fountain at Keewaydin
Sundial in the garden
Views of the terraced gardens and greenhouse at Keewaydin
Views from the balustrade looking over the Charles River
Cottage
Theater at cottage
Stage backdrop in theater at cottage
Bowling alley at cottage
Greenhouse (interior)
Plants and lanterns
Barn
I. Album 9: Keewaydin, 1893 (2)
Duplicate of Album 8, without photo #s 57.522, 57.524, 57.526, 57.530, 57.532, 57.533, and 57.542.
J. Album 10. Compilation of photographs by Francis Blake, ca. 1893
A compilation of 135 photographs by Francis Blake that were featured in earlier albums and reprinted here. Included are portraits of the Blake family and friends, Keewaydin, Glen House, and Payson Farm. There are some photographs which are not printed elsewhere; these include portraits of Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, Henry Silas Payson, Louisa Sewall Jackson (later Dyer), and William Dean Howells, among others.
None of the images are dated.
Keewaydin before bricks
Reprints of selected photos from Album 6
Reprints of selected photos from Album 5
Reprints of selected photos from Album 6
Reprint of 57.512, Album 7
1 loose duplicate in collection.Reprint of 57.222, Album 5; 57.516, Album 7; and 57.116, Album 3
1 loose duplicate in collection.Reprint of 57.515, Album 7
8 loose duplicates in collection.Reprint of 57.107, Album 3
Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald
Henry Silas Payson
Reprints of select photos from Album 5
Reprints of select photos from Album 6
Friday on a dining room chair
Reprints of select photos from Album 5
Louise Jackson (later Dyer)
Reprint of 57.245, Album 5
C. L. Flint
Reprints of select photos from Album 5
William Dean Howells
Reprints of select photos from Album 5
Reprint of 57.270, Album 5
Reprint of 57.379, Album 6
Reprint of 57.294, Album 5
Benjamin Sewall Blake
Louisa Sewall Jackson (later Dyer)
Henry Silas Payson
Reprint of select photos from Album 5
Richard Sewall
John G. Hubbard
William deYoung Field
Reprints of select photos from Album 7
Reprints of select photos from Album 4 (Vol. 36)
K. Album 11. Portraits of family and friends
NOTE: This volume was removed from the Francis Blake papers in 2017. Photographs in this album have not been numbered.
II. Loose photographs
3 regular boxes and 3 oversize boxes.This series contains loose photographs by Francis Blake and other photographers. It is arranged into five sections: loose photographs removed from albums (A); loose photographs from the Francis Blake papers (B); portraits (C); views (D); and oversize portraits and views (E).
A. Loose photographs removed from albums
15 photographs that were originally in Albums 2, 3, 6, and 10. Includes photographs of the grounds of Keewaydin, among other subjects. Photographers include Francis Blake, Daguay-Géran (Tours, France), Albert E. Coe (Norwich, England), and Webster (Waltham, Mass.).
W. Sewall table used in Keewaydin Servants' Hall, n.d.
Photographer unknown.Removed from Album 2 (vol. 34).
Dog sitting on chair, n.d.
Photographer unknown.Removed from Album 3 (vol. 35).
Unidentified boy, n.d.
Taken by Daguay-Geran (Tours, France).Removed from Album 3 (vol. 35).
Unidentified woman and two young girls, Mar. 1894
Taken by Roessinger-Jeanneret (Montreal).Removed from Album 3 (vol. 35).
Unidentified child, n.d.
Taken by Albert E. Coe (Norwich, England).Removed from Album 3 (vol. 35).
Unidentified group of three women and three men on the steps of the Canda Realty Co., n.d.
Photographer unknown.Removed from Album 3 (vol. 35).
Damaged photographs of unidentified subject, n.d.
Photographer unknown.Removed from Album 6.
Two vases on table, n.d.
Taken by Webster (Waltham, Mass.).Removed from Album 6.
Road under the driveway from the cottage going down toward the sawmill & railroad tracks, ca. 1896
Probably taken by Francis Blake.Removed from Album 10.
Shop & entrance to the stable showing the dovecote above, ca. 1880-1890
Probably taken by Francis Blake.Removed from Album 10.
B. Loose photographs from the Francis Blake papers
72 photographs and 28 cartes de visite that were formerly housed in Box 78 of the Francis Blake papers. These photographs relate to letters in the Francis Blake papers. The subjects of the photographs include electrical experiments; the Blake family ancestral home and gravesites in England; views of Keewaydin taken by Francis Blake; portraits of Benjamin Sewall Blake and Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald taken by Francis Blake; portraits of Benjamin Sewall Blake and Francis Blake taken by William A. Webster (Waltham, Mass.); and a collection of photographs by William deYoung Field of his home and family in Telluride, Colo. The cartes de visite are of artwork and various places in Europe; photographers include E. Morier (Paris), among others.
Photographs 57.726-797 were formerly housed in Box 78 of the Francis Blake papers. The "original folder #"s below correspond to the folder numbers in the arrangement of that collection.
Unidentified house, n.d.
Cyanotype.Photographer unknown.Original folder #: 78.1114.
Electrical experiments, n.d.
Cyanotype.Taken by John Trowbridge.Original folder #: 78.1115.
Two photos of Roger Williams Park, Providence, R.I., 25 Apr. 1896
Photographer unknown.Original folder #: 78.1116.
William deYoung Field's family in Telluride, Colo., Sep.-Oct. 1906
Cyanotype.Possibly taken by William deYoung Field.Original folder #: 78.1117-1118.
Wallace, Dorothy, and Stanley Robinson, ca. 1895
Taken by Furman (San Diego).Original folder #: 78.1119.
Photo of silhouette of the first Francis Blake
Taken by Francis Blake.Original folder #: 78.1120.
Old Blake House, Dorchester, Mass., ca. 1890s
Photographer unknown.Original folder #: 78.1120.
Photographs of the Blake family ancestral homes and graves in England, 1891
Taken by C. A. Gandy (London).Original folder #: 78.1121-1125.
Photo of portion of the 1636 articles of association at Agawam, Mass. (now Springfield), showing the signature of William Blake, among others
Photographer unknown.Original folder #: 78.1126.
Photographs of the parlor of the Trumbull house, showing paintings by and of various Trumbull family members, n.d.
Taken by Charles P. Trumbull.Original folder #: 78.1126.
Panoramic views of Keewaydin and grounds, n.d.
Taken by Francis Blake.Original folder #: 78.1127.
Keewaydin, 1884
Taken by Francis Blake.Original folder #: 78.1127.
Keewaydin parlor, n.d.
Taken by Francis Blake.Original folder #: 78.1127.
Keewaydin, Nov. 1964
Photographer unknown.Original folder #: 78.1127.
Photographs of groups in horse-drawn wagons, n.d. and 1880
Taken by Webster (Waltham, Mass.) and unknown.Original folder #: 78.1128.
Benjamin Sewall Blake, Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard Blake, Francis Blake, and Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald on lawn of Keewaydin, 24 June 1898
Photographer unknown.Inscription on verso in unidentified hand: "Badly placed to give impression of heights."Original folder #: 78.1129.
Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard Blake and Francis Blake on lawn of Keewaydin, 24 June 1898
Photographer unknown.Original folder #: 78.1129.
Photo of sketch of Francis Blake, n.d.
Original folder #: 78.1129.
Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard Blake, 1872
Photographer unknown.Original folder #: 78.1129.
Benjamin Sewall Blake in hammock at Keewaydin, n.d.
Probably taken by Francis Blake.Original folder #: 78.1129.
Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald at door of Keewaydin, n.d.
Probably taken by Francis Blake.Original folder #: 78.1129.
Francis Blake seated on sofa in morning room at Keewaydin, 1901
Taken by William A. Webster (Waltham, Mass.).Original folder #: 78.1130.
Benjamin Sewall Blake in morning room of Keewaydin, 1901
Taken by William A. Webster (Waltham, Mass.).Original folder #: 78.1131.
View of Boston & Albany passenger train from grounds of Keewaydin, ca. 1884-1890
Taken by Francis Blake.Inscription on verso in the hand of Francis Blake: "Building the terraces and greenhouses at Keewaydin, late 1880s."Original folder #: 78.1132.
Twenty-eight cartes de visite of artwork; Switzerland, Italy, and Brest, France; and one portrait of an unidentified man, n.d.
Photographers include E. Morier (Paris), among others.Original folder #: [none].
C. Portraits
98 individual and group portraits, including one daguerreotype, of various members of the Blake family and friends, ca. 1864-1910. Represented in the portraits are Benjamin Sewall Blake, Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard Blake, Francis Blake, Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, Benjamin Sewall, and Henry Silas Payson, among others.
Individual portraits
Unidentified woman, [ca. 1850-1855]
Taken by Lorenzo G. Chase (Boston, Mass.).Sixth-plate daguerreotype in brass frame.This photograph is stored separately in the MHS Daguerreotype Collection (Photo. Coll. 1).To request this item, follow this link to the MHS catalog and click on the red "Place Request" button.
Blake, Benjamin Sewall, n.d.
Taken by Francis Blake.Blake, Benjamin Sewall, n.d.
Taken by Francis Blake.Blake, Benjamin Sewall, 1890
Taken by Francis Blake.Blake, Benjamin Sewall, n.d.
Taken by William A. Webster (Waltham, Mass.).2 duplicate photos.Blake, Benjamin Sewall, n.d.
Photographer unknown.Damaged photograph.Blake, Benjamin Sewall, n.d.
Photographer unknown.2 duplicate photos, both damaged.Blake, Benjamin Sewall, n.d.
Photographer unknown.Damaged photograph.Blake, Benjamin Sewall, 25 Sep. 1895
Taken by [Rich?] St. Ampersand (Saranac Lake).Blake, Benjamin Sewall, Mar. 1903
Taken by [ ] Pinder (Nassau).Blake, Benjamin Sewall, in his cap and gown, n.d.
Probably taken by Francis Blake.Blake, Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard, [1861?]
Taken by James Wallace Black (Boston, Mass.).Blake, Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard, 1864
Taken by A. Sonrel (Boston, Mass.).Blake, Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard, ca. 1872-1874
Taken by Warren, Heald (Boston, Mass.).Blake, Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard, 1881
Taken by Webster (Waltham, Mass.).2 duplicate cartes de visite.Blake, Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard, 1882
Taken by Webster (Waltham, Mass.).2 duplicate cartes de visite.Blake, Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard, at Bretton Woods, 1910
Taken by Lottie [ ].Blake, Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard, n.d.
Taken by Wm. A. Webster (Waltham, Mass.).Blake, Francis, n.d.
Photographer unknown.Blake, Francis, on horse at Glen House, N.H.
Photographer unknown.Bowles, Annie, n.d.
Photographer unknown.2 duplicate cartes de visite.Inscription on verso of photo: "Nursery maid for Agnes & Benjamin nearly 5 years, till June 28, 1885."Dickens, Charles, 1867?
Taken by J. Gurney & Son (New York, N.Y.).Hubbard, John G., running at Keewaydin, n.d.
Probably taken by Francis Blake.[There is no Photo 57.852 in this collection.]
Fitzgerald, Agnes (Blake), n.d.
Taken by [ ] (Newton Lower Falls, Mass.).2 tintypes, hand-tinted.Fitzgerald, Agnes (Blake), reading in chair, n.d.
Probably taken by Francis Blake.Fitzgerald, Agnes (Blake), n.d.
Probably taken by Francis Blake.Fitzgerald, Agnes (Blake), n.d.
Probably taken by Francis Blake.Fitzgerald, Agnes (Blake), n.d.
Probably taken by Francis Blake.Fitzgerald, Agnes (Blake), sitting in chair, n.d.
Probably taken by Francis Blake.Fitzgerald, Agnes (Blake), with Friday, n.d.
Probably taken by Francis Blake.Fitzgerald, Agnes (Blake), and Friday outside the conservatory at Keewaydin, n.d.
Taken by Francis Blake.Fitzgerald, Agnes (Blake), 1888
Probably taken by Francis Blake.Fitzgerald, Agnes (Blake), 1891
Taken by Wm. A Webster (Waltham, Mass.).Fitzgerald, Agnes (Blake), May 1894
Taken by Webster (Waltham, Mass.).6 duplicate copies in folder.Fitzgerald, Agnes (Blake), May 1894
Taken by Webster (Waltham, Mass.).Fitzgerald, Agnes (Blake), n.d.
Taken by W. A. Webster (Waltham, Mass.).3 duplicate photos in folder.Fitzgerald, Agnes (Blake), 1898
Photographer unknown.8 duplicate photos in folder.Fitzgerald, Agnes (Blake), Feb. 1904
Photographer unknown.Fitzgerald, Agnes (Blake), n.d.
Photographer unknown.4 duplicate photos in folder.Fitzgerald, Agnes (Blake), with unidentified man and woman, n.d.
Photographer unknown.Fitzgerald, Agnes (Blake), n.d.
Photographer unknown.Fitzgerald, Agnes (Blake), Jan. 1904
Photographer unknown.Stereograph.Lane, Betty (later Whittemore), ca. 1890
Taken by A. Marshall (Boston, Mass.).[There is no Photo 57.877 in this collection.]
Leslie, Elsie, 1888
Taken by Napoleon Sarony (New York, N.Y.).Inscription on verso: "In Little Lord Fontleroy."McLean, Julie, 1878
Taken by L. W. Cook (Boston, Mass.).Inscription on verso: "Lived with us 13 months."Payson, Henry Silas, n.d.
Probably taken by Francis Blake.Payson, Henry Silas, n.d.
Probably taken by Francis Blake.Payson, Henry Silas, Oct. 1884
Probably taken by Francis Blake.Payson, Henry Silas, Aug. 1884
Probably taken by Francis Blake.Payson, Henry Silas, n.d.
Taken by Wm. A. Webster (Waltham, Mass.).Schwab, [ ], n.d.
Taken by McCormick (Boston, Mass.).Inscription on verso: "Daughter of Sophie Schwab."Sewall, Benjamin, n.d.
Taken by Metcalf & Welldon (Boston, Mass.).Sewall, Benjamin, n.d.
Taken by Whipple (Boston, Mass.).[ ] Stanley, n.d.
Taken by Gurney.Unidentified individuals, n.d.
Group portraits
Blake, Benjamin Sewall, and Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, 1880
Taken by Webster (Waltham, Mass.).Blake, Benjamin Sewall, and Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, 1881
Taken by [ ] (North Conway, New Hampshire).2 tintypes, hand-tinted.Blake, Benjamin Sewall, and Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, Nov. 1884
Taken by Francis Blake.Blake, Benjamin Sewall, and Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, n.d.
Probably taken by Francis Blake.Blake, Benjamin Sewall, and Billy [ ], Feb. 1889
Photographer unknown.Blake, Benjamin Sewall, Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, and Annie Bowles, 1881
Taken by [ ] (North Conway, N.H.).1 tintype, hand-tinted.Blake, Benjamin Sewall, Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, and Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard Blake, 1881
Taken by [ ] (North Conway, N.H.).4 tintypes, hand-tinted.Blake, Benjamin Sewall, Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, and Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard Blake, 1887
Taken by Francis Blake.Blake, Benjamin Sewall, Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard Blake, and H. Silas Payson, n.d.
Taken by Francis Blake.Blake, Benjamin Sewall, Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard Blake, Henry Silas Payson, and Mrs. Henry Silas Payson, 1887
Taken by Francis Blake.Blake, Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard, and Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, n.d.
Taken by Allen & Rowell (Boston, Mass.).Blake, Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard, and Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, 1887
Taken by Francis Blake.Blake, Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard, and Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, 27 July 1891
Taken by William A. Webster (Waltham, Mass.).Blake, Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard, and Mrs. Geo. B. Carpenter, ca. 1871-1972
Taken by Holton & Richardson (Boston, Mass.).1 tintype, hand-tinted.Fitzgerald, Agnes (Blake), and Henry Silas Payson, 1891
Taken by W. A. Webster (Waltham, Mass.).Fitzgerald, Agnes (Blake), and Ruth and Betty Blake at Keewaydin, n.d.
Photographer unknown.Hubbard sisters: Lottie Hubbard (later Mrs. Benjamin Loring Young), Elise (later Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard Blake), Louise (later Mrs. Ferdinand Canda), n.d.
Taken by Whipple (Boston, Mass.).Lane, Philip, Robert, and Betty, n.d.
Taken by A. Marshall (Boston, Mass.).Schwab, Caroline and Sophie, n.d.
Taken by McCormick (Boston, Mass.).D. Views
37 photographs of views of Keewaydin and trains, taken by Francis Blake, as well as views of Franconia Notch, N.H., the Skidmore House in Morristown, N.J., Monaco, France, and other locations, taken by C.P. Hibbard (Lisbon, N.H.) and C. N. Parker Photo, among others. Includes stereographs.
Train passing on the tracks below Keewaydin, n.d.
Taken by Francis Blake.Two dogs on wooden bench, Keewaydin
Taken by Francis Blake.Stereograph.2 duplicate photos.Conservatory at Keewaydin
Taken by Francis Blake.Stereograph.Inscription on verso: "By electric light (9 16 cp lamps) exposure 52m; f16."Front hall of Keewaydin
Taken by Frances Blake.Stereograph.2 duplicate photos.View from top of hill at Keewaydin, pond covered with ice & snow, n.d.
Taken by Francis Blake.Views from Franconia Notch, N.H.; the Skidmore House in Morristown, N.J.; Monaco; France; and numerous unidentified locations
Photographers include C. P. Hibbard (Lisbon, N.H.) and C. N. Parker Photo.E. Oversize portraits and views
45 oversize photographs, mostly taken by Francis Blake, of Blake family and friends and views of cattle, sheep, and the White Mountains near Glen, N.H. Many of these photographs are enlargements of photographs that appear elsewhere in the collection. Most of the images are mounted.
All photographs taken by Francis Blake except where noted.
Large
Blake, Francis, n.d.
Photographer unknown.Blake, Francis, and unidentified woman standing in woods, n.d.
Photographer unknown.Cobb, Sophie, 1886
2 duplicate photos.Davis, Mabel, n.d.
Fitzgerald, Agnes (Blake), Apr. 1887
3 duplicate photos.Fitzgerald, Agnes (Blake), n.d.
Flint, C. L., n.d.
Hubbard, Charles Townsend, n.d.
2 duplicate photos.Lyman, John P., n.d.
Payson, Henry Robey, n.d.
Payson, Henry Silas, n.d.
3 duplicate photos.Commodore George S. Blake, n.d.
3 duplicate photos.Whitwell, William A., n.d.
Young, Charlotte (later Tudor), n.d.
Young, B. Loring [?] (or William Tudor), n.d.
Unidentified man, n.d.
Unidentified man, n.d.
Unidentified man, n.d.
Unidentified man (possibly John G. Hubbard [?]), n.d.
Unidentified river at Glen, n.d.
Photo of painting of unidentified woman, n.d.
Photo of painting of unidentified man, n.d.
Extra-large
Blake, Benjamin Sewall, n.d.
Blake, Elizabeth Livermore Hubbard, n.d.
Blake, Francis, and unidentified woman in woods, n.d.
Fitzgerald, Agnes Blake, n.d.
Fitzgerald, Agnes Blake, n.d.
Fitzgerald, Agnes Blake, Apr. 1887
2 duplicate photos.Howells, William Dean, n.d.
Hubbard, Charles Townsend, n.d.
Hubbard, Charles Townsend, n.d.
Hubbard, Charles Townsend, n.d.
5 duplicate photos.Payson, Henry Silas, n.d.
3 duplicate photos.Sullivan, Russell, n.d.
Young, Charlotte, n.d.
Young, Margaret, n.d.
Young, Margaret, n.d.
Unidentified man, n.d.
Unidentified man, n.d.
2 duplicate photos.Two unidentified boys, n.d.
Unidentified woman, n.d.
2 duplicate photos.Unidentified woman, n.d.
Unidentified woman, n.d.
Unidentified man (possibly John G. Hubbard [?]), n.d.
Unidentified man, n.d.
Unidentified man, n.d.
Unidentified man, n.d.
Unidentified girl, n.d.
Photo of silhouette of the first Francis Blake, n.d.
Unidentified infant, n.d.
Cows, n.d.
2 duplicate photos.Sheep, n.d.
2 duplicate photos.View of White Mountains near Glen, N.H., n.d.
Photo of painting of an unidentified woman, n.d.
III. Duplicate photographs
Duplicates of loose photographs are stored with their originals. Duplicates of photographs in albums are stored separately in Box 4.
IV. Lantern slides
283 lantern slides in 16 boxes.This series includes 283 lantern slides, most of which were taken by Francis Blake. Subjects include the history of the United States Civil War and Reconstruction in the South, 1860-1910; early European history and warfare; views of European and American landmarks; and slides of Keewaydin and Glen House. Other photographers in this series include T. H. McAllister (New York, N.Y.) and J. Lévy (Paris, France).
Also includes 1 small glass plate negative box containing thirteen camera filters used by Francis Blake.
These photographs are restricted.
Please note that glass plate negatives are stored in a separate collection: Glass plates/lantern slides (Photo. Coll. 6).
Glass plate negatives, glass plate positives, and lantern slides of any size are not available for research use. Copy photographs or scans may be available for alternative viewing. Consult the Reference Librarian for more information.
Lantern slides of maps and battle campaigns of the Civil War, as well as maps and tables of economic and agricultural production in the North and the South from 1860 to 1910
Probably taken by Francis Blake.Lantern slides depicting maps of early Europe, as well as early European battles and battle techniques
Photographer(s) unknown.Lantern slides of photos by Francis Blake of Keewaydin, Payson Farm, and Glen House, as well as portraits of various people
Most are duplicates of images from Albums 4-10.
Lanterns slides of Rome, Italy; France; Yosemite; and New Hampshire, among other places
Photographers include T. H. McAllister (New York, N.Y.) and J. Lévy (Paris, France).Lantern slides of photos by Francis Blake of Keewaydin and Glen House, as well as portraits of various people
Most are duplicates of images from Albums 4-10.
V. Glass plate negatives
154 small glass plate negatives in 9 boxes; 627 medium glass plate negatives in 30 boxes; 1 small box filters.This series features many of Francis Blake's unprinted high-speed photographs. Subjects in both the small and medium glass plate negatives include tennis players; golfers; horseback riders; bicyclists; birds; and trains in motion. The medium glass plate negatives also include negatives from Blake's "shutter experiments" with high-speed photography. Additionally, the medium glass plate negatives contain a number of negatives that correspond to the photographs in Albums 4-6 and 8-10, as well as many unprinted negatives of Keewaydin, Payson Farm, and Glen House. Consult the Glass Plate Negative Index to correspond some of the negatives in this series to prints found elsewhere in the collection. Included in the medium glass plate negatives are also thirty-four negatives of the Blake family ancestral home in England, ca. 1891, that were probably taken by C. A. Gandy (London, England).
Also includes one small box of tinted light filters belonging to Francis Blake.
Consult the "Glass Plate Negative Index" for some cross-referencing between these negatives and the prints in this collection.
These photographs are restricted.
Please note that glass plate negatives are stored in a separate collection: Glass plates/lantern slides (Photo. Coll. 6).
Glass plate negatives, glass plate positives, and lantern slides of any size are not available for research use. Copy photographs or scans may be available for alternative viewing. Consult the Reference Librarian for more information.
Tennis players in motion, 1891
Subjects include Thomas Pettit and Richard D. Sears.
Golfers in motion, 1898
Tennis players in motion, 1891
Horseback riders in motion, n.d.
[There is no glass plate negative 6.3.396S in this collection.]
Tennis players in motion, 1891
Walking man in motion, n.d.
Pigeons flying, 1889
Horse-drawn carriage, n.d.
Portraits, n.d.
Bicycle rider in motion, n.d.
Birds, n.d.
Train in motion, n.d.
Glen House, ca. 1884-1886
Includes negatives from the photographs in Album 4, as well as other unprinted negatives of Glen House and environs.
Consult the Glass Plate Negative Index to cross-reference the negatives to their respective prints.
Keewaydin, ca. 1884-1893
Includes negatives from the photographs in Albums 6, 8, and 9, as well as other unprinted negatives of Keewaydin and environs.
Consult the Glass Plate Negative Index to cross-reference the negatives to their respective prints.
Payson Farm, 1885
Includes negatives from the photographs in Album 7, as well as other unprinted negatives of Payson Farm and environs.
Consult the Glass Plate Negative Index to cross-reference the negatives to their respective prints.
Portraits, ca. 1884-1893
Includes negatives from the photographs in Albums 5, 10, and Loose portraits. Many are negatives for which no prints exist in the collection.
Consult the Glass Plate Negative Index to cross-reference the negatives to their respective prints.
High speed photographs, ca. 1888-1898
Includes negatives of Blake's photographs of trains in motion, people jumping, tennis players in motion, and various "shutter experiments" (taken in 1888).
Consult the Glass Plate Negative Index to cross-reference the negatives to their respective prints.
Blake family ancestral home, England, ca. 1891
Probably taken by C. A. Gandy (London).Includes negatives of Plainfield Manor, the Blake family ancestral home, as well as its church and gravesites.
Many of the negatives correspond to Photos. #57.748-772.
Miscellaneous glass plate negatives
Includes miscellaneous portraits, silhouettes, damaged negatives, and negatives with no image.
VI. Glass plate positives
25 glass plate positives in 3 boxes.This series includes twenty-five glass plate positive images of Glen House, the woods around Glen, N.H., the grounds of Keewaydin, trains, Agnes (Blake) Fitzgerald, and Francis Blake's high-speed photographs of bicyclists and horseback riders in motion. All positives were taken by Francis Blake.
These photographs are restricted.
Please note that glass plate positives are stored in a separate collection: Glass plates/lantern slides (Photo. Coll. 6).
Glass plate negatives, glass plate positives, and lantern slides of any size are not available for research use. Copy photographs or scans may be available for alternative viewing. Consult the Reference Librarian for more information.
Glass plate positives
VII. Francis Blake photo notebooks
Three photo notebooks kept by Francis Blake. One large notebook is dated from May 1886 to November 1898 and contains notations in Francis Blake's handwriting about shutter speeds, light conditions, weather, and the development of his photographs. Two small black notebooks contain indexes to some of Blake's numbered negatives; they are arranged alphabetically by the subject's name or the object of the photograph.
Glass Plate Negative Index
This index matches some of the prints in this collection to their respective glass plate negatives. The "Blake negative #" indicates a number written by Blake on some of the prints in the albums to identify the corresponding negative. Some of these numbers and their subjects are recorded in the Francis Blake photo notebooks.
Photo. # | Blake negative # | Glass plate negative # |
57.141 | 36 | 6.3.439M |
57.142 | 37 | 6.3.440M |
57.143 | 38 | 6.3.441M |
57.144 | 39 | 6.3.442M |
57.145 | 40 | 6.3.443M |
57.146 | 41 | 6.3.444M |
57.147 | 42 | 6.3.445M |
57.148 | 43 | 6.3.446M |
57.149 | 44 | 6.3.447M |
57.150 | 45 | 6.3.448M |
57.151 | 46 | 6.3.449M |
57.152 | 47 | 6.3.450M |
57.153 | 48 | 6.3.451M |
57.154 | 49 | 6.3.452M |
57.155 | 50 | 6.3.453M and 6.3.454M |
57.156 | 51 | 6.3.455M |
57.157 | 52 | 6.3.456M |
57.158 | 53 | 6.3.457M |
57.159 | 54 | 6.3.458M |
57.160 | 55 | 6.3.459M |
57.161 | 56 | 6.3.460M |
57.162 | 57 | 6.3.461M |
57.163 | 58 | 6.3.462M |
57.165 | 59 | 6.3.463M |
57.166 | 60 | 6.3.464M |
57.167 | 61 | 6.3.465M |
57.168 | 62 | 6.3.466M |
57.169 | 63 | 6.3.467M |
57.170 | 64 | 6.3.468M |
57.171 | 65 | 6.3.469M |
57.172 | 66 | 6.3.470M |
57.173 | 67 | 6.3.471M |
57.174 | 68 | 6.3.472M |
57.175 | 69 | 6.3.473M |
57.176 | 70 | 6.3.474M |
57.177 | 71 | 6.3.475M |
57.178 | 72 | 6.3.476M |
57.179 | 73 | 6.3.477M |
57.180 | 74 | 6.3.478M |
57.181 | 75 | 6.3.479M |
57.182 | 76 | 6.3.480M |
57.183 | 77 | 6.3.481M |
57.184 | 78 | 6.3.482M |
57.185 | 79 | 6.3.483M |
57.186 | 80 | 6.3.484M |
57.188 | 82 | 6.3.485M |
57.189 | 83 | 6.3.486M |
57.191 | 85 | 6.3.487M |
57.192 | 249 | 6.2.494M |
57.193 | 250 | 6.3.495M |
57.194 | 251 | 6.3.496M |
57.195 | 244 | 6.3.489M |
57.196 | 252 | 6.3.497M |
57.197 | 253 | 6.3.498M |
57.198 | 254 | 6.3.499M |
57.199 | 255 | 6.3.500M |
57.200 | 256 | 6.3.501M |
57.201 | 257 | 6.3.502M |
57.202 | 258 | 6.3.503M |
57.203 | 259 | 6.3.504M |
57.205 | 261 | 6.3.505M |
57.206 | 262 | 6.3.506M |
57.207 | 263 | 6.3.507M |
57.208 | 264 | 6.3.508M |
57.209 | 247 | 6.3.492M |
57.210 | 248 | 6.3.493M |
57.211 | 245 | 6.3.490M |
57.212 | 246 | 6.3.491M |
57.216 | 241 | 6.3.488M |
57.217 | 268 | 6.3.509M |
57.218 | 269 | 6.3.510M |
57.219 | 270 | 6.3.511M |
57.220 | 271 | 6.3.512M |
57.341 | 5 | 6.3.527M |
57.349 | 13 | 6.3.528M |
57.355 | 20 | 6.3.529M |
57.357 | 25 | 6.3.530M |
57.359 | 27 | 6.3.531M |
57.363 | 32 | 6.3.533M |
57.364 | 33 | 6.3.534M |
57.365 | 35 | 6.3.535M |
57.367 | 103 | 6.3.536M |
57.371 | 108 | 6.3.537M |
57.372 | 109 | 6.3.538M |
57.373 | 110 | 6.3.539M |
57.378 | 115 | 6.3.540M |
57.379 | 212 | 6.3.541M |
57.380 | 233 | 6.3.542M |
57.381 | 234 | 6.3.543M |
57.382 | 235 | 6.3.544M |
57.383 | 288 | 6.3.547M |
57.384 | 289 | 6.3.548M |
57.385 | 290 | 6.3.549M |
57.386 | 294 | 6.3.550M |
57.388 | 295 | 6.3.551M |
57.389 | 333 | 6.3.553M |
57.390 | 334 | 6.3.554M |
57.391 | 335 | 6.3.555M |
57.392 | 336 | 6.3.556M |
57.393 | 337 | 6.3.557M |
57.394 | 338 | 6.3.558M |
57.395 | 339 | 6.3.559M |
57.396 | 340 | 6.3.560M |
57.397 | 341 | 6.3.561M |
57.399 | 344 | 6.3.563M |
57.400 | 345 | 6.3.564M |
57.401 | 346 | 6.3.565M |
57.402 | 347 | 6.3.566M |
57.403 | 348 | 6.3.567M |
57.404 | 349 | 6.3.568M |
57.405 | 317 | 6.3.554M |
57.406 | 351 | 6.3.569M |
57.407 | 352 | 6.3.570M |
57.408 | 353 | 6.3.571M |
57.409 | 354 | 6.3.572M |
57.417 | 369 | 6.3.574M |
57.418 | 368 | 6.3.573M |
57.424 | 116 | 6.3.666M |
57.425 | 117 | 6.3.667M |
57.426 | 118 | 6.3.668M |
57.427 | 119 | 6.3.669M |
57.428 | 120 | 6.3.670M |
57.429 | 121 | 6.3.671M |
57.430 | 122 | 6.3.672M |
57.431 | 123 | 6.3.673M |
57.432 | 124 | 6.3.674M |
57.444 | 126 | 6.3.676M |
57.445 | 127 | 6.3.677M |
57.446 | 128 | 6.3.678M |
57.447 | 129 | 6.3.679M |
57.448 | 130 | 6.3.680M |
57.449 | 131 | 6.3.681M |
57.450 | 132 | 6.3.682M |
57.451 | 133 | 6.3.683M |
57.452 | 134 | 6.3.684M |
57.453 | 135 | 6.3.685M |
57.454 | 136 | 6.3.686M |
57.455 | 137 | 6.3.687M |
57.456 | 138 | 6.3.688M |
57.457 | 139 | 6.3.689M |
57.458 | 140 | 6.3.690M |
57.459 | 141 | 6.3.691M |
57.460 | 142 | 6.3.692M |
57.461 | 143 | 6.3.693M |
57.462 | 144 | 6.3.694M |
57.463 | 145 | 6.3.695M |
57.464 | 146 | 6.3.696M |
57.465 | 147 | 6.3.697M |
57.466 | 148 | 6.3.698M |
57.467 | 149 | 6.3.699M |
57.468 | 150 | 6.3.700M |
57.469 | 151 | 6.3.701M |
57.470 | 152 | 6.3.702M |
57.471 | 153 | 6.3.703M |
57.472 | 154 | 6.3.704M |
57.473 | 155 | 6.3.705M |
57.474 | 156 | 6.3.706M |
57.475 | 157 | 6.3.707M |
57.476 | 158 | 6.3.708M |
57.477 | 159 | 6.3.709M |
57.478 | 160 | 6.3.710M |
57.479 | 161 | 6.3.711M |
57.479a | 162 | 6.3.712M |
57.480 | 163 | 6.3.713M |
57.481 | 164 | 6.3.714M |
57.482 | 165 | 6.3.715M |
57.483 | 166 | 6.3.716M |
57.484 | 167 | 6.3.717M |
57.485 | 168 | 6.3.718M |
57.486 | 169 | 6.3.719M |
57.487 | 170 | 6.3.720M |
57.488 | 171 | 6.3.721M |
57.489 | 172 | 6.3.722M |
57.490 | 173 | 6.3.723M |
57.491 | 174 | 6.3.724M |
57.492 | 175 | 6.3.725M |
57.493 | 176 | 6.3.726M |
57.494 | 177 | 6.3.727M |
57.495 | 178 | 6.3.728M |
57.496 | 179 | 6.3.729M |
57.497 | 180 | 6.3.730M |
57.498 | 181 | 6.3.685M |
57.499 | 182 | 6.3.686M |
57.500 | 183 | 6.3.687M |
57.501 | 184 | 6.3.688M |
57.502 | 185 | 6.3.689M |
57.503 | 186 | 6.3.690M |
57.504 | 187 | 6.3.691M |
57.505 | 188 | 6.3.692M |
57.506 | 189 | 6.3.693M |
57.506a | 190 | 6.3.694M |
57.507 | 191 | 6.3.695M |
57.508 | 192 | 6.3.696M |
57.509 | 193 | 6.3.697M |
57.512 | 196 | 6.3.698M |
57.513 | 197 | 6.3.699M |
List of Francis Blake Photographs With Reproductions in the Massachusetts Historical Society
This list represents photographs and glass plate negatives from the Francis Blake photographs for which reproductions have been made by the Massachusetts Historical Society. These reproductions may include negatives and digital images. Consult the Reference Librarian to order reproductions of photographs.
Researchers may request to view reproductions in the place of glass photographs. Glass plate negatives, lantern slides, and glass plate positives are not available for use by researchers.
57.343 57.59 57.61 57.68 57.105 57.110 57.134 57.137 57.140 57.148 57.154 57.162 57.201 57.262 57.274 57.275 57.284 57.301-308 57.302 57.305 57.306 57.310 57.337 57.338 57.339 57.340 57.341 57.342 57.344 57.345 57.346 57.348 57.352 57.359 57.360 57.361 57.365 |
57.523 57.366 57.367 57.368 57.370 57.380 57.382 57.389 57.392 37.395 57.396 57.397 57.399-401 57.402 57.403 57.406 57.417-418 57.420 57.426 57.457 57.475 57.478 57.506a 57.507 57.513 57.518 57.519 57.521 57.527 57.528 57.529 57.532 57.533 57.540 57.544 57.545 57.546 |
6.3.326S 57.657 57.691 57.788 57.793 57.794 57.797 57.829 57.834-836 57.841 57.842 57.854 57.865 57.893 57.906-908 57.912 57.930 57.1004 57.1016 6.3.285S 6.3.304S 6.3.306S 6.3.308S 6.3.309S 6.3.313S 6.3.320S 6.3.325S 6.3.328S 6.3.331S 6.3.354S 6.3.355S 6.3.356S 6.3.364S 6.3.381S 6.3.384S 6.3.386S |
6.3.389S 6.3.390S 6.3.392S 6.3.415S 6.3.417S 6.3.419S 6.3.983M 6.3.984M 6.3.986M 6.3.992 6.3.999M 6.3.1055M |
Preferred Citation
Francis Blake photographs, Photo. Coll. 57, Massachusetts Historical Society Photo Archives.
Access Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in ABIGAIL, the online catalog of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related persons, organizations, or subjects should search the catalog using these headings.