Libraries
Identity elements
Reference code
Level of description
Title
Date(s)
- 1863-1866 (Creation)
Extent
1.00 Linear Feet, 1.00 Box
Post-Fire Oversize Extent:
Boz 1 (9x12); 509S: 19/6/4
Name of creator
Biographical history
George Burgoyne (1834-1923) was the first professional photographer to operate a studio in Manhattan, Kansas. Born in England, Burgoyne established residence in Kansas Territory in 1857. Two years later he founded his photographic studio, specializing in Carte de visite portraits. His business flourished for 31 years, until his retirement in 1890.
The earliest extant views of Manhattan have been attributed to Burgoyne.
"Early Days in Riley County." Manhattan Nationalist 29 November 1923.
1890, he sold his studio to George F. Dewey and retired to a fruit farm that he owned in California. See "Reduction in Prices." Manhattan Mercury 5 June 1890 and "George Burgoyne has sold his photograph gallery." Manhattan Mercury 6 June 1890.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
The collection consists of four Carte de visites (CdV) documenting Manhattan, Kansas and spanning the years 1863-1866. The photographs have been attributed to George Burgoyne (active Manhattan 1859-1890), and were presumably taken from his studio window. At the time of acquisition (2000), all four views bore penciled identifications on the versos, each image identified as Burgoyne's work, each subject identified and dated. Some of this information was presumably transferred from an album that once included the pictures.
The earliest CdV, dated 1863, includes Manhattan's main street, Poyntz Avenue, looking towards the East. The second, dated 1864, presents the town's residences, outhouses, and dirt streets in the direction of Bluemont Hill to the North. The third and fourth images return to the easterly vantage point of the 1863 image. One shows phalanxed U.S. troops crossing the mouth of the Big Blue River as part of the Indian Expedition on 28 June 1865. The final Carte de visite, dated 1866, reveals the addition of new commercial buildings along the city's main artery.
The collection is an important one for frontier Manhattan, as it includes the earliest known views of its commercial and residential districts.
System of arrangement
This collection is arranged chronologically.
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
No Access restriction: All materials open for research.
Physical access
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
Languages of the material
- English
Scripts of the material
- Latin
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Acquisition and appraisal elements
Custodial history
It received accession number P2000.01. 2 views (1863 & 1864) missing. 8 negatives are being digitized.
Immediate source of acquisition
Acqusition Source: Institutional purchase 2000
Acqusition Method: Purchase.
Acqusition Date: 20000210
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
Related materials elements
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
Related descriptions
General note
Preferred Citation: [Item title], [item date], Manhattan, Kansas carte de visite photographs, Box [number], Folder [number or title], Morse Department of Special Collections, Kansas State University Libraries.
Specialized notes
- Citation: Preferred Citation: [Item title], [item date], Manhattan, Kansas carte de visite photographs, Box [number], Folder [number or title], Morse Department of Special Collections, Kansas State University Libraries.
Alternative identifier(s)
Archon Collection ID
Description control element
Rules or conventions
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Sources used
Archivist's note
Finding Aid Author: Keli Rylance and Jarrod Kuckelman
Processing Info: Accessioned by Keli Rylance, August 2017
Processed by Jarrod Kuckelman, September 2017