308

Album of early photographs of the Tempe Normal School and environs.

Tempe, AZ, circa 1903-1908
23 photographs, each about 3¾ x 4¾ inches, tipped to album leaves. Oblong 8vo, original limp decorative calf with original binding cords, minimal wear; minor foxing; original manuscript key to the photographs laid in.

  • Notes: Dr. Rudolph H.H. Blome (1854-1923) was an instructor at the Tempe Normal School (now Arizona State University) from about 1900 to 1909. He spent the summers in Illinois. This album seems to document one of his annual returns to Tempe to start the fall semester. The first 7 images document the trip down, including Arizona's Canyon Diablo, and the enormous Cardenas Hotel in Trinidad, CO (established 1903). The others are all from the Tempe area, including "Scene on Salt River taken when Dr. Blome and I forded the river coming from Phoenix to Tempe"; "RR bridges in Tempe"; "Adobe in Tempe, Mrs. B near cactus"; "Palms near the Normal and Dr. B."; "Dr. B's home"; "Taken from second floor at the Normal School, Catholic Church"; "Main St. of Mesa" (illustrated); "Evaline, Indian who helps Mrs. G. wash" (illustrated); "Indian and wife out for a ride"; and "Line up in Mesa School." 

    With--a printed souvenir pamphlet, "Mesa, Arizona," "issued by the Mesa Chamber of Commerce," with photography by the Lubken Co; minimal wear, intermittent foxing, circa 1907. One in OCLC (University of Arizona) and none traced at auction.
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