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Paul A. Hughes Collection of Caribbean Stereographs

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 0341

Scope and Content

The Paul A. Hughes Collection is comprised of 255 stereograph images showcasing scenes and views of the Greater and Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. Also featured prominently are stereographs images from the Spanish American War. The stereograph cards were taken between 1898 and 1907 by the following publishing companies: Underwood & Underwood, American Stereoscopic Company, Keystone View Company, Strohmeyer and Wyman, H. C. White Company, Universal Photo Art Company, and M. H. Zahner. The Greater Antilles are represented by Cuba (Series 1), Puerto Rico (Series 2), and Jamaica (Series 4). Cuba is featured prominently, followed by Puerto Rico, and Jamaica. The majority of the stereographs from Jamaica are images taken after the 1907 Kingston, Jamaica earthquake. The Lesser Antilles (Series 3) are represented with views of Martinique, Guadeloupe, Nevis, Barbados, St. Kitts, and St. Vincent. The collection documents the aftermath of several catastrophes, such as the eruption of Mount Pelée in Martinique and an earthquake caused by the Soufriere Volcano in Guadeloupe. The rest of the Lesser Antilles islands is also represented.

Dates

  • Creation: 1898-1907

Creator

Access

This collection is open for research.

Biographical/Historical Note

Stereographs, two almost identical photographs paired to create a three-dimensional experience, were first made in the 1850s. People viewed stereographs as a form of entertainment until the 1920s. Stereographs also had an educational purpose: they provided images of significant events, and of diverse places and people.

The collection includes stereographs from two of the most important stereographic firms in the United States: Underwood & Underwood and Keystone View Company. Brothers Elmer and Bert Underwood founded Underwood & Underwood in 1880 in Ottawa, Kansas. Starting with door to door sales and eventually branching out into freelance photography work, the brothers' company grew large enough to relocate to New York City in 1891. At the turn of the century the firm was selling 300,000 stereographs a year. After stereograph production was discontinued in the 1920s, Underwood & Underwood sold its stereographic stock to the Keystone View Company.

Extent

1.2 Linear feet (2 Boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The collection includes 255 stereograph images showcasing scenes and views of the Greater and Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. Also featured prominently are stereographs images from the Spanish American War.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into five series: "Series 1: Cuba," "Series 2: Puerto Rico," "Series 3: Lesser Antilles", "Series 4: Jamaica", "Series 5: Spanish American War".

Physical Location

University of Florida Smathers Library Building

Alternate Form of Finding Aid

This guide is available in Spanish at https://www.uflib.ufl.edu/findingaids/Spanish/mss0341.pdf.

Acquisition Information

The collection was donated by Paul A. Hughes in 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.

Alternative Format Available

Digital reproductions of items in the Paul A. Hughes Collection of Caribbean Stereographs are available online via the University of Florida Digital Collections (UFDC). Please read the Permissions for Use statement for information on copyright, fair use, and use of UFDC digital objects.

Related Material

The William P. Angrick II Collection of Latin American and Caribbean Stereographs at the University of Florida

Panama Canal Stereographs at the University of Florida Digital Collections

Tom Pohrt Collection at the University of Miami

Subject

Title
A Guide to the Paul A. Hughes Collection of Caribbean Stereographs
Status
Completed
Author
Finding aid created by Ana D. Rodriguez and Richard Phillips. Updated November 2017 by Katiana Bagué. Updated January 2018 by Margarita Vargas-Betancourt.
Date
October 2015 (Updated July 2021)
Description rules
Finding Aid Prepared Using Dacs
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Description is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida Repository

Contact:
George A. Smathers Libraries
PO Box 117005
Gainesville Florida 32611-7005 United States of America
352-273-2755