Photographs, 1870s-2012

Please Note:

This collection is currently being reprocessed to incorporate additional material before it becomes fully open to researchers in January 2027--material may sometimes be unavailable because of this. This work is being funded by a Duke Endowment grant focused on Duke family papers. For more information, please contact the Rubenstein Library.

Access Restrictions:

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Physical description:

Mostly photographic and digital prints, although there are a few photomechanical prints. Some folders include corresponding negatives. Many different photographic print processes are represented, especially from the 20th century and including rare ones for the time. There are tintypes (or photos on other metals), three glass convex oval portraits, and one folder with prints on linen. There are cartes de visite, cabinet cards, photo postcards, hand-colored prints, matted and/or mounted prints (including three collages), contact prints, and a photo booklet. There are some proofs, including those with annotations for editing; most of these edited prints have been found. Most prints are in good condition, but the emulsion of some has been damaged or is flaking off.

Scope and content:

Primarily photographic prints (plus some corresponding negatives) of the Benjamin N. Duke, Mary Duke Biddle, and Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans' branches of the Duke family tree. There are also public figures, especially in the history of Duke University, the North Carolina School of the Arts, and the state of North Carolina, such as Terry Sanford, Nan Keohane, Dan K. and especially Jeanelle Moore, William Anlyan, and Robert Yekovich. There are few people of color, but there is one folder for Roland and Stella Alson, who were employed by the family. Other employees include Doug Zinn and Kathy Harrison, and family friends include Tom Kenan III and Gary Wein.

There is a mix of professional and amateur photography, including candid snapshots, formal portraits from studios primarily located in New York City and Durham, and professionally shot events (including press photos taken by Durham Herald Sun and Duke University photographers).

Arrangement:

Organized into five subseries: Individuals and Families, Buildings and Grounds, Events, People, and Travel.

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