Finding Aid to the Gertrude Anthony photographs
Bancroft Library staff.
The Bancroft Library
2024
The Bancroft Library
University of California
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000
bancref@library.berkeley.edu
Contributing Institution:
The Bancroft Library
Title: Gertrude Anthony photographs
Identifier/Call Number: BANC PIC 1986.006
Physical Description:
: approximately 300 photographs
in 4 boxes (approximately 260 photographic prints in 1 box and 215
negatives in 3 boxes), 215 digital images
Date (bulk): approximately 1900-1960, bulk
1919-1922
Abstract: Chiefly photographs from Gertrude
Anthony's time (1919-1922?) as a teacher in Armenia, Greece, and Turkey.
Physical Location: Many Bancroft
Library collections are stored off-site and advance notice may be required for use. For
current information on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online
catalog.
Language of Material:
English.
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Conditions Governing Access
Photographic prints are open for research. NITRATE NEGATIVES are CLOSED TO RESEARCH DUE TO
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RESTRICTIONS. Use online digital images only.
Content Description
Chiefly photographs from Gertrude Anthony's time (1919-1922?) as a teacher in Armenia,
Greece, and Turkey, or on a return trip circa 1929. Many Armenian orphans pictured, as well
as teachers and staff at schools or orphanages. Some views from a trip to Egypt are present.
Includes some family snapshots, chiefly in Berkeley and the Altadena area of Southern
California.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Gertrude Anthony photographs, BANC PIC 1986.006, The Bancroft
Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Processing Information
Preliminary processing by Bancroft Library staff in 2006-2007. Nitrate negatives
digitized in 2023.
Separated Materials
Received with the A. Gertrude Anthony papers, 1906-1968 (BANC MSS 2002/207 cz)
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Frances Avik in 1985.
Biographical / Historical
A. Gertrude Anthony was a native of Berkeley, Calif. who taught science at the Berkeley
High School. From 1919 to 1922 she went to Armenia and Turkey as a teacher for the American
Committee for Armenian and Syrian Relief (Near East Relief). She returned to help Armenian
orphans in Athens, Greece in 1929.
Arrangement
Arranged by apparent subject, as determined by library staff.
Negatives were received by the library in disarray, and chiefly unidentified. Some
envelopes from photographic labs were present, but it was not clear that the negatives
contained in them were originally related, and the envelopes provided no identification
clues. Some of these envelopes bear number codes that sometimes are also written on the
edges of negatives, but these negatives were distributed in different envelopes or
files.
Library staff have attempted logical groupings of negatives based upon apparent
similarities in subject matter, also taking into consideration similarities in film format
and film stock, and condition. (Similarities in discoloration between separated negatives
may indicate they were originally shot and developed at the same time.) Exhaustive
comparison of all of the criteria for possible comparison was not undertaken, and original
associations have not been fully recreated. Some images may have inadvertently been placed
next to unrelated images, and separated from closely related ones. Furthermore, sorting and
description of negatives were done based on the negative image, often with no prints or
scans available. Identifications are, therefore, tentative.
Orphanages and orphans (or refugee children)
PIC_box 1, folder 1
Orphanages: Armenian children. Oropes [Oropos], Greece?
approximately
1919-1929
Physical Description: 18
photographs
Scope and Contents
Boys' orphanage or school: probably all at Oropos, Greece. Some annotated on verso,
others unidentified but printed on similar photographic paper. (1 matching negative in
NEG Folder 1.)
PIC_box 1, folder 2
Orphans
approximately
1919-1929
Physical Description: 1
photograph
Scope and Contents
Armenian orphan boys with toy guns(?), possibly at Oropes, Greece. (Corresponding
original negative present in NEG Folder 1.)
PIC_box 1, folder 3
Near East Relief: Constantinople orphanage
1922
Physical Description: 4
photographs
Scope and Contents
Official Near East Relief photographs, with identifying labels on versos. Boys at the
Kouleli Kindergarten amd Kouleli Orphan School [Kuleli School, Istanbul] (for Armenian
orphans), Constantinople, 1922. From an envelope labeled "Army's orphanage on the
Bosphorus in Army barracks."
PIC_box 1, folder 4
Orphanages and/or schools
approximately
1919-1929
Physical Description: 5
photographs
Scope and Contents
Various orphanages or schools, presumably for Armenian orphans. Some unidentified.
Includes American School for Boys, Talas, Turkey, Chalcis (Khalkis) Greece, and
possibly Anatolia College, among others.
PIC_box 1, folder 5
Orphanages or schools: girls and women teachers
approximately
1919-1929
Physical Description: 2
photographs
Scope and Contents
Girls in orphanage or school. Unidentified, presumably Greece or Turkey.
PIC_box 1, folder 6
Group portraits: teachers?
approximately
1919-1929?
Physical Description: 3
items
Scope and Contents
Group photo of women and a few men, possibly Anatolia Girls' School faculty, or
faculty of another school or orphanage. Fundraising card for Charlotte R. Willard
Memorial Hall. All received in envelope labeled "Turkey". (One matching negative
present in NEG Folder 11.)
Note
2 photoprints, 1 printed card
PIC_box 1, folder 7
Unidentified landscapes & group snapshots
approximately
1919-1929
Physical Description: 5
photographs
Scope and Contents
Probably taken in Greece or Turkey. Several are of a woman (G. Anthony?) and youths
in sailor suits outside a large building; probably a school or orphanage. (For
negaties taken at the same location, see NEG Folder 12.)
PIC_box 1, folder 8
Group portraits: former students at orphanage
approximately
1922-1940?
Physical Description: 4
photographs
Scope and Contents
Professionally photographed group portraits of Armenian orphans or former students.
Some apparently former Oropes [Oropos] residents who went on to the Working Boys'
House, Cairo, Egypt. Some students supported by Near East Relief. Some individuals
identified on verso of mounts. One group of boys holds a sign reading "Remember
Us".
PIC_box 1, folder 9
Postcards & note cards: Armenian connections
Physical Description: 9
items
Scope and Contents
Postcards and cards. Views and personal portrait postcards with correspondence from
former students (Armenian) and perhaps one former colleague.
Travel: Greece, Turkey, Middle East
PIC_box 1, folder 10
Circassian leader
approximately
1919-1929
Physical Description: 1
photograph
Scope and Contents
"A Circassian leader taking 80 people back to Baku, Caucasus…" [complete note on back
of photo.] Annotation and photographic paper link this to Oropes orphanage images (see
PIC Folder 1). May have been taken at Oropes, or simply may have been printed and
annotated at same time. (1 matching negative in NEG Folder 13.)
PIC_box 1, folder 11
Travel snapshots: Marsovan (1)
approximately
1919-1929
Physical Description: 19
photographs
Scope and Contents
Snapshots from a trip to Marsovan (Merzifon, Turkey). Many roadside views with
travelers, donkeys, views of the market, and one view outside the boys' orphanage
there. All snapshots of the same format and tonality, suggesting that, although some
are unidentified, they are from the same journey.
PIC_box 1, folder 12
Travel snapshots: Marsovan (2)
approximately
1919-1930
Physical Description: 6
photographs
Scope and Contents
Marsovan (Merzifon, Turkey). Snapshots physically different than preceding file.
Includes group on steps of Dr. White's house, July 1920; Marsovan Market; road scene
"coming into Samsoun (Samsun?, Turkey) from interior"; and Misses Spinden, Willard,
Noyes, and Corning in 1930.
PIC_box 1, folder 13
Travel snapshots: road to Cesaria, Turkey
approximately
1919-1929?
Physical Description: 2
photographs
Scope and Contents
Travel snapshots on road to Cesaria, Turkey. Sandstone formations.
PIC_box 1, folder 14-15
YeniJey Village [Yenice, Turkey?]
approximately
1919-1929
Physical Description: 4
photographs
Scope and Contents
YeniJey [Yenice?]. Workers and oxen at YeniJey village [Yenice?] threshing floor.
Annotation on photo indicates village now occupied by Albanians, with only one
Armenian (with a Turkish name) remaining. (One corresponding original negative present
in NEG Folder 18.)
Note
4 photoprints, 1 negative
PIC_box 1, folder 16
Travel snapshots: Etchmiadzin trip (1) [Vagharshapat, Armenia]
approximately
1919-1929
Physical Description: 11
photographs
Scope and Contents
Etchmiadzin. Travel snapshots on road, with people on horses, camels, an with laden
donkeys. Multiple copies of some images present. Poor image quality; low contrast and
dark. (Matching negatives for some views in NEG Folder 19.)
Note
11 photoprints & approximately 8 negatives
PIC_box 1, folder 17
Travel snapshots: Etchmiadzin trip (2) [Vagharshapat, Armenia]
approximately
1919-1929
Physical Description: 6
photographs
Scope and Contents
Etchmiadzin. Travel snapshots on road, with people on horses, camels, an with laden
donkeys. Same photographic paper as those listed above, but these lack negatives. Poor
image quality; low contrast and dark.
PIC_box 1, folder 18
Travel snapshots: Miscellaneous & Unidentified
approximately
1919-1929
Physical Description: 17
photographs
Scope and Contents
Miscellaneous unidentified travel snapshots, most probably dating from circa
1919-1925. Includes local people, a woman (G. Anthony?) riding a camel (from an
envelope labeled "Gamerlu"(?)), a small ship, a group of Anatolia College boys in
Egypt (1944), and unidentified landscapes. One or two might be from domestic
(California?) travels. Most appear to be from Turkey, Greece, or the Middle East. Some
accompanying envelopes or notes, not associated with any specific images, are
annotated "Balbeck etc. Palestine & Syria" and "Russia". These annotations might
apply to views long since separated from the envelopes and possibly now in other
folders.
PIC_box 1, folder 19
Caucasus & Egypt: Sara Corning snapshots
approximately
1919-1929?
Physical Description: 12
photographs
Scope and Contents
Sara Corning's pictures: Caucuses and Egypt. Small snapshots of groups of people,
landscapes, and sites. Includes two photographs of refugees in the Caucasus.
PIC_box 1, folder 20
Travel snapshots: possibly Turkey
approximately
1919-1929
Physical Description: 20
photographs
Scope and Contents
Travel snapshots. Unidentified, but probably Turkey. Received in early 20th century
postal envelope from 'Dave Hoagland" to G. Anthony, with partially legible annotation:
"Kapakiwc"(?). Poor image quality. Small snapshots.
Note
Approximately 20 photoprints
PIC_box 1, folder 21
Church buildings
approximately
1919-1929
Physical Description: 3
photographs
Scope and Contents
Two exterior views of large domed churches, presumably Armenian. One interior view of
crumbling arches, probably in a church. (Matching negatives for 3 images in NEG Folder
22.)
Note
3 photoprints & negatives
PIC_box 1, folder 22
Greece: scenic views
19--
Physical Description: 12
items
Scope and Contents
Greece. Commercial scenic views of Greek theaters and famous ancient Greek sites.
Note
12 items (photoprints and prints)
PIC_box 1, folder 23
Postcards: Turkey & Egypt
Physical Description: 15
items
Scope and Contents
Postcards. Turkey and Egypt. Chiefly a set of Constantinople views. No
correspondence.
Note
Approximately 15 postcards
Personal and family (United States)
PIC_box 1, folder 24-25
Personal photographs: family & California
approximately
1900-1960
Physical Description: 45
photographs
Scope and Contents
Portraits and snapshots of Gertrude Anthony and family in Berkeley and other
California locales. Includes one portrait of Anthony by Dorothea Lange (in somewhat
poor condition.)
Note
Approximately 45 photoprints
PIC_box 1, folder 26
Personal snapshots.
approximately
1919-1950
Physical Description: 20
photographs
Scope and Contents
Personal snapshots. A.H. Anthony's ranch and avocado orchard in Fallbrook, Calif.,
wedding snapshots (1940s), and miscellaneous. Ranch photos received in illustrated
printed fundraising envelope for the American Farm School in Thessalonica.
Note
Approximately 20 photoprints
PIC_box 1, folder 27
U.C. Berkeley
Physical Description: 3
photographs
Scope and Contents
University of California, Berkeley. Two Greek Theatre views, one of Campanile from
(old) botanical garden.
PIC_box 1, folder 28
Postcards: Hawaii & California
Physical Description: 20
items
Scope and Contents
Various postcards of Hawaii, California, and miscellaneous. Some with correspondence
from "A.H.A." (presumably A.H. Anthony of Fallbrook, Calif., brother of Gertrude
Anthony.)
NNEG_box 1, folder 1
Armenian orphan group
approximately
1919-1929
Physical Description: 1
photograph: nitrate film negative
Scope and Contents
Orphan boys, presumably Armenian, with toy guns(?), possibly at Oropos, Greece.
(Matching photoprint in PIC Folder 1.)
NNEG_box 1, folder 2
Constantinople: Kouleli Orphan School [Kuleli School, Istanbul]
approximately
1919-1929
Physical Description: 15
photographs: nitrate film negatives
Scope and Contents
Orphanage courtyard views with children assembled for exercise, marching drills,
play, etc. Formerly unidentified negatives, identified based on comparison of
buildings seen in official Near East Relief photographs (See PIC Folder 3). (School in
army barracks for Armenian orphans).
NNEG_box 1, folder 3
Armenian orphanage?: building exterior
approximately
1919-1929
Physical Description: 1
photograph: nitrate film negative
Scope and Contents
Unidentified large building with two towers, in a somewhat Victorian style.
Presumably a school or orphanage for Armenian children in Greece or Turkey.
NNEG_box 1, folder 4
Armenian orphanage gardens or farming
approximately
1919-1929
Physical Description: 21
photographs: nitrate film negatives
Scope and Contents
Unidentified negatives of field or garden work, presumably showing Armenian orphan
boys at one or more unidentified orphanages. A large complex of buildings is visible
in the background of some views, and it does not appear to be the Oropos or the Kuleli
complex. More than one location may be pictured in this group.
NNEG_box 1, folder 5
Armenian orphan outing(s)?
approximately
1919-1929
Physical Description: 9
photographs: nitrate film negatives
Scope and Contents
Unidentified negatives of groups (of boys?) in the hills on an outing or, apparently,
returning from field or garden work. Location(s) unknown, but presumably near an
orphanage for Armenian children in Greece or Turkey. Film type and format of many
appears similar.
NNEG_box 1, folder 6
Armenian orphanages: boys and visitors?
approximately
1919-1929
Physical Description: 33
photographs: nitrate film negatives
Scope and Contents
Unidentified photographs of groups of boys and some adults (staff or visitors?)
outside schools or orphanages. Different locations are almost certainly represented,
presumably at facilities for Armenian orphans in Greece or Turkey. A few girls may be
present in some images. A few images may be of children seen on various travels rather
than those in orphanages. Negatives stock and format vary, suggesting multiple
occassions and locations. Some unidentified buildings are visible in backgrounds.
NNEG_box 2, folder 7
Armenian orphanages: interiors
approximately
1919-1929
Physical Description: 8
photographs: nitrate film negatives
Scope and Contents
Unidentified photographs of small groups of boys and some adult staff inside schools
or orphanages. Location(s) are unidentified, but are presumably within schools for
Armenian orphans in Greece or Turkey. A few girls (or boys in costume for a theatrical
production?) may be present in some images. Negative stock and format vary, suggesting
multiple occassions and locations. Some unidentified buildings are visible in
backgrounds.
NNEG_box 2, folder 8
Armenian orphanages: boys and staff in garden
approximately
1919-1929
Physical Description: 20
photographs: nitrate film negatives
Scope and Contents
Unidentified photographs of groups of boys and adult staff in a garden next to a
school or orphanage, presumably at a facility for Armenian orphans in Greece or
Turkey. Images have been grouped together based on presence of common elements (a
tree, plantings, or a railing) that indicate they are all taken in the same location.
A few girls may be present in some images.
NNEG_box 2, folder 9
Armenian orphanages: athletic event?
approximately
1919-1929
Physical Description: 4
photographs: nitrate film negatives
Scope and Contents
Unidentified photographs of boys or young men and adults at an athletic competition
and award ceremony, presumably at a facility for Armenian orphans in Greece or Turkey.
A small girl is seated on a throne-like platform in the ceremony images.
NNEG_box 2, folder 10
Armenian orphanage: Girls and toddlers
approximately
1919-1929
Physical Description: 25
photographs: nitrate film negatives
Scope and Contents
Unidentified photographs of women teachers, girls, and small children (toddlers) or
babies. Most are taken in a garden, and several different schools or orphanages may be
pictured, presumably at a facility for Armenian orphans in Greece or Turkey. One view
includes a tree and plantings present in similar negatives (NEG Folder 8) of boys and
staff.
NNEG_box 2, folder 11
Armenian orphanage? Group portrait of teachers?
approximately
1919-1929
Physical Description: 1
photograph: nitrate film negative
Scope and Contents
Group photo of women and a few men, possibly Anatolia Girls' School faculty, or
faculty of another school or orphanage. (One matching photoprint present in PIC Folder
6.)
NNEG_box 2, folder 12
Armenian orphanage?: Young men in sailor uniforms
approximately
1919-1929
Physical Description: 1
photograph: nitrate film negative
Scope and Contents
Two boys or young men in sailor uniforms posing at railing outside large building.
Possibly Armenian orphans or students, or Navy sailors participating in relief
efforts? Location matches several photographic prints. (See PIC Folder 7.)
NNEG_box 2, folder 13
Circassian leader
approximately
1919-1929
Physical Description: 1
photograph: nitrate film negative
Scope and Contents
A Circassian leader taking 80 people back to Baku, Caucasus. (1 matching print in PIC
Folder 10.)
NNEG_box 2, folder 14
Travel: Coastal city (Greece, Turkey or Middle East)
1919
Physical Description: 4
photographs: nitrate film negatives
Scope and Contents
Unidentified views of a coastal city, taken from the sea. Possibly Constantinople.
Negatives captioned, illegibly, in ink, and dated [April?] 1919. All have a yellow
discoloration not seen on most other negatives in the collection, presumably a
processing problem with this batch of film.
NNEG_box 2, folder 15
Travel: Greece, Turkey or Middle East
1919
Physical Description: 4
photographs: nitrate film negatives
Scope and Contents
Travel views identified (semi-legibly) in ink on negative, apparently taken on the
road or in villages during travels in Turkey, Greece, the Caucuses, or elsewhere in
the Middle East or Eastern Mediterranean. All are dated May (or March?) and June,
1919. Two are captioned "Dilleion" (or similar spelling), one "Black Sea from
Bosphorous" (Bosporus or Bosphorus), and one as "Major Chadwick".
NNEG_box 3, folder 16
Travel: Greece, Turkey or Middle East
1919-approximately
1929?
Physical Description: 10
photographs: nitrate film negatives
Scope and Contents
Unidentified views apparently taken on the road or in villages during travels in
Turkey, Greece, the Caucuses, or elsewhere in the Middle East or Eastern
Mediterranean. Several views appear to be of groups of refugees on the road. Some may
be of a travelling party that included Gertrude Anthony. Several bear partially
legible ink captions: Karakallian[?} March [or May?] 28, 1919. These similarly
captioned few are of an apparent refugee group and a large group at an outdoor
assembly; possibly girl and boy students or orphans. Captioning is similar to that
found on some items in NEG folders 14-15. A few other views include people travelling
in wagon caravans, in costume similar to that of the photoprint of the "Circassian
leader" ( See PIC folder 10). Views taken on different trips in different regions may
mixed together here.
NNEG_box 3, folder 17
Travel: Greece, Turkey or Middle East
approximately
1919-1929
Physical Description: 3
photographs: nitrate film negatives
Scope and Contents
Unidentified views apparently taken on the road during travels in Turkey, Greece, or
elsewhere in the Middle East. Camels are present in some views, and one is of a laden
donkey. Similar photographic prints are present in this collection (see PIC Folders
16-18.) Views taken on different trips in different regions may mixed together
here.
NNEG_box 3, folder 18
Travel: YeniJey Village [Yenice, Turkey?]
approximately
1919-1929
Physical Description: 5
photographs: nitrate film negatives
Scope and Contents
Workers and oxen at YeniJey village [Yenice?] threshing floor (and perhaps at a
similar village elsewhere?). (1 matching photoprint, and related prints, in PIC
Folders 14-15.)
NNEG_box 3, folder 19
Travel: Etchmiadzin trip? [Vagharshapat, Armenia?]
approximately
1919-1929
Physical Description: 6
photographs: nitrate film negatives
Scope and Contents
Journey to Etchmiadzin? Travel snapshots on road, with people on horses, camels, an
with laden donkeys. Multiple copies of some images present. Poor image quality; low
contrast and dark. (See PIC Folder 16 for matching prints for some negatives.)
NNEG_box 3, folder 20
Travel: People encountered?
approximately
1919-1929
Physical Description: 6
photographs: nitrate film negatives
Scope and Contents
Unidentified snapshots, apparently of people encountered on travels in Greece,
Turkey, or elsehwere. It is possible an item or two were taken at a school or
orphanage, or perhaps nearer home in California.
NNEG_box 3, folder 21
Travel: Landscapes
approximately
1919-1929
Physical Description: 12
photographs: nitrate film negatives
Scope and Contents
Unidentified landscape snapshots, probably taken during travels in Greece, Turkey, or
elsewhere in the Middle East. Views are of hills, roads, and town on the horizon.
NNEG_box 3, folder 22
Travel: Church buildings
approximately
1919-1929
Physical Description: 4
photographs: nitrate film negatives
Scope and Contents
Two exterior views of large domed churches, presumably Armenian. One interior view of
crumbling arches, probably in a church, and one poorly framed exterior view of a
church. Yellow discoloration and film format of some is similar to negatives in Folder
14, suggestiing they may have been from the same film stock and close in date. (See
also matching photoprints for 3 negatives in PIC Folder 21).
NNEG_box 3, folder 23
Travel: Antiquities & ruins
approximately
1919-1929
Physical Description: 7
photographs: nitrate film negatives
Scope and Contents
Snapshots of Greek antiquities, including the Acropolis in Athens. Other ruins, such
as a church interior, may also be present.
NNEG_box 3, folder 24
Travel: Western travellers
approximately
1910-1930
Physical Description: 6
photographs: nitrate film negatives
Scope and Contents
Snapshots of groups of Western (American or European) travellers or outing groups,
presumably in Greece, Turkey, or the Middle East. It is possible some views from
California or other locales are present here.
NNEG_box 3, folder 25
Outing groups
between 1910 and
1920?
Physical Description: 6
photographs: nitrate film negatives
Scope and Contents
Snapshots of groups of Western (American or European) travellers or outing groups,
very possibly in California or elswhere in the United States. Some views might have
been taken during travels in Greece or Turkey, but clothing suggests an earlier date
than G. Anthony's travels there, and perhaps an American setting.