Collection consists of 118 photographs of men, women, and children as single individuals, family groups, and other group shots. There is also a full set of copy prints (preferred for access) and eight copy negatives. The great majority of the subjects appear to be African American; however, there are individuals who are multi-racial, and possibly white and Asian. The photographs were taken by Michael Francis Blake, an African American photographer from Charleston, South Carolina, from about 1912 to 1934, mostly in his studio at 384 West Sumter Street. There are a few that may have been taken by another indiviual. Some of the photographs are stamped with Blake's name and studio addresses.
The majority of the photographs were originally housed in a photograph album entitled "Portraits of Members," also included in the collection, but have been rehoused for preservation purposes. Ninety-one of the photos are photographic postcards and the others are either mounted photographs or snapshots. The predominant style is the formal studio portrait, standing or seated. There are also some informal snapshots that may or may not have been taken by Blake. Some portraits were taken outdoors in front of a backdrop with props such as rugs, chairs and plants to recreate a studio setting. Others were taken on the street; the location of photograph #28 has been identified as just outside of Blake's studio. Some have what appear to be shopping lists and other notations written on the backs, and a few have names, ages, and street addresses, presumably of the sitter or their household.
Through existing captions and public input, thirty-six individuals in the photographs have been identified, including the photographer, Michael Francis Blake, who appears in one portrait.
Each original print has been assigned a unique institutional identifier. All but one have been digitized and are available online through the Duke Digital Collections website.
Michael Francis Blake, a graduate of Avery Normal Institute, was one of Charleston, South Carolina's first African American studio photographers. He was born in 1879 on Johns Island, South Carolina, and married Cecelia Ford from Georgetown, S.C. in 1899. Blake moved to Charleston with his family around 1900 and began to work professionally as a photographer in 1912.
Blake had a studio and residence at 12 W. Sumter Street, which later became 384 W. Sumter Street after the street was renumbered in 1918. He also regularly set up his camera on the northwest corner of Radcliffe and King Streets in Charleston. Blake died in Charleston in 1934 at age 55.
Processed by Beth Ann Koelsch, October 2006.
Description for boxes 2-3 added and original prints rehoused to mitigate acid migration and protect emulsions, Paula Jeannet, 2017.
One print added by Paula Jeannet, February 2020.
Accession(s) described in this collection guide: 1995-0045, 2020-0016.
