SUSIE VAN KIRK
HISTORIC RESOURCES CONSULTANT
P.O. BOX 568
BAYSIDE, CA 95524
707-822-6066
svkirk@humboldt1.com

January 2004

REFERENCES TO THE PHOTOGRAPHY OF A.W. ERICSON

Augustus William Ericson was born on April 26, 1848 in Orebro, Sweden, the third child of six born to Eric and Elsa Ericson. At age eleven, he was apprenticed to a printer and followed that trade until 1866 when he came to the United States. After a first stop in New York, he traveled to Chicago, where, unable to speak English, he found employment as a laborer. In 1868 he left Chicago for Michigan and worked in a lumber camp before heading west by rail to San Francisco.

Possibly recruited by a mill company, Ericson moved north and located at Trinidad. Working again as a laborer, he built and maintained logging rails (wooden ones) over which log-laden cars were drawn by oxen. He later became a driver on the railway. After a brief visit to Sweden in mid-1871, Ericson returned to Trinidad, never again to visit the homeland. Working hard to master both written and spoken English, he was moved from the woods crew to the office where he operated the telegraph, did bookkeeping, and worked in the company store. In the fall of 1876, he moved to Arcata and became a telegrapher for the North Pacific Telegraph Company and soon afterwards, he opened a stationer's store. He and Ella Fitzell were married in June 1878 and over time, they became the parents of eight children, seven of whom grew to adulthood. With the arrival of his brother Richard in 1882, Ericson expanded his shop to include job printing.

Introduced to the possibilities of photography by Amassa Flaglor and his studio operator, M.H. Grant, in the late 1870s and early 1880s, Ericson probably delayed his practice of the art until the dry plate process was available in the mid-1880s. In his business dealings, he entered into a partnership with J.N. Davies in a drug and stationery store at the northwest corner of the Plaza, but this proved financially improvident. With the loss of what assets he had, Ericson turned to photography to pay the bills and by the turn-of-the-century he had gained a reputation as the "foremost landscape photographer of northern California."

In 1892 A.W. and Richard became partners in Richard.s confectionery store, which A.W. used as a base for his photographic operations and from which, he embarked on his most productive period as a photographer. Ericson's son, Edgar, traveled with his father and involved himself in the business. During difficult financial times, they traveled outside Humboldt County, sometimes for extended periods. In later years, Edgar and Ericson's daughter, Ella Bryan, were partners in the Ericson's photofinishing shop in Arcata. Age and failing health began to limit Ericson's activities and by 1925, he was no longer doing photography. Ericson died on August 15, 1927. [Information from Palmquist, Peter. Fine California Views; the photographs of A.W. Ericson, Interface, Eureka. 1975]

During his most prolific years, 1890-1910, Ericson documented redwood logging, daily life and special occasions. His images of Native people, their dances and regalia, and their homeland and traditional life preserve invaluable information appreciated by today's generations, both Native and white. In preparation for the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago, where Humboldt County was represented by an exhibition of its products, Ericson toured the County, taking photographs of big trees, big oxen, agricultural production, scenic views, and notable architecture. As a result of this effort, two hundred of these early 1890s images were displayed in Chicago. After the fair closed in the fall of 1893, Humboldt County's on-site representative, Martha Herrick, sold Ericson's photographs. His pictures appeared in publications, both in the U.S. and abroad, without attribution and, of course, without compensation to him.

On the heels of the fair, the Humboldt County Chamber of Commerce published a County promotional entitled, In the Redwood's Realm, edited by J.M. Eddy. At the time of publication, the Arcata Union noted that of publication's 253 images, 126 were Ericson photographs. In a re-issue of the publication by Peter Palmquist and Jack Irvine in 1987, they state that there were 226 photographic illustrations in the book and of that number Ericson is credited with ninety percent of them.

Identification and dating of Ericson images from the almost 500 glass plate negatives in the possession of Humboldt State University Library and print copies at HSU and in other collections depend almost completely on two sources: newspaper accounts that periodically reported on his picture-taking activities and dated publications that contain his photographs. Notable gaps in these sources means that identification may not be possible at all, or it becomes a matter of making best guesses. Scenic views can sometimes be identified simply by walking a coast line or a ridge top until a familiar sight comes into view. In other cases, particularly photographs of logging operations where no "clues" are available, it becomes virtually impossible to confirm a location.

The following newspaper articles and publication references provide documentation for some of Ericson's photography.

Arcata Union (AU)
Blue Lake Advocate (BLA)
Daily Humboldt Standard (DHS)
Del Norte Record (DNR)
Ferndale Enterprise (FE)
Weekly Humboldt Times (WHT)

AU (4 Jan. 1890) The snow fall in Arcata on Thursday night was a surprise to many when they raised their curtains on Friday morning. The surrounding hills, and Arcata bottom looked lovely, being so sudden a change from the deep green to the snowy white. In east Arcata particularly was the view a grand one. It resembled some of the paintings of winter scenes in Norway. Gus Ericson took views from the top of Falk's house which will probably be on exhibition at his store soon.

AU (3 May 1890) A.W. Ericson, our photographer, has furnished the Union with the North Fork school, taken while standing on a Redwood stump at that place. The sump is 22 feet in diameter, upon which there are 42 children standing. It is a lively picture.

AU (28 Feb. 1891) A.W. Ericson, the photographer, has some excellent views of streets, private residences and business houses of Arcata in his window.

WHT (13 Aug. 1891) On John Halley's redwood claim near Mad river, standing a few yards from the road leading to Maple creek, is a redwood tree measuring 76 feet around, 8 feet from the ground. A few days ago, Photographer Erickson [sic] of Arcata drove out to level his camera at this tree and must have succeeded in obtaining one of the finest redwood forest views ever taken on the coast as the group included three of the handsomest men in the county.

FE (15 Jan. 1892) Our old friend A.W. Erickson [sic] of Arcata has placed us under obligations to him for a couple of very handsome photographic views, one showing a Freshwater logging train, composed of locomotive, tender and 24 cars loaded with immense redwood logs, and the other a picture of the Arcata wharf, moored to which are several schooners taking on cargoes of redwood lumber. A note from Mr. Erickson [sic] states that a full assortment of these views of Humboldt county can be found at the drug store of C.R. Fitzell, Eureka, where they can be purchased at very reasonable figures.

DHS (16 Jan. 1892) We have received from A.W. Erickson [sic] of Arcata a pair of superb photographic views of Vance's Mad river mill and mill pond. These views are large, being 8 by 10 inches, mounted on cards 11 by 14 inches in size. The work is very fine, showing a high order of artistic and mechanical ability. Every point in the scenery is brought out sharp and clear, and the reflections in the water of the pond are especially beautiful. These and many other fine views can be had by addressing Erickson [sic] Brothers, Arcata, who have our thanks for their handsome gift. These views can also be had at Fitzell's drug store in Eureka.

AU (23 Jan. 1892) A.W. Ericson and Brother have a large lot of very fine California views, which make most elegant presents to send home. Call and examine them.

April 1892. George D. Gray, "Redwood Industries of California." The Californian; Illustrated Magazine. 1(5):491-500. San Francisco. Photos: 1) "The Logging Train Coming Down" [oxen pulling logs on skid road]; 2) "Asleep in a Redwood" [girl in tree]; 3) "Hauling to the Mills" [three tracks with logging trains and a fourth coming onto the track at the rear; white house in photo]; 4) "A Giant Redwood Growing over a Fallen Log"; 5) "In the Redwood Forest" [four men standing in an uncut forest]; 6) "Redwood Gulch" [mill town in the woods].

AU (16 April 1892) In the window of the Ericson Brothers, among other fine scenic photographs, may be seen a most excellent one of the Arcata Creamery. Mr. Ericson is now an expert in the science of photography.

AU (3 Sept. 1892) A.W. Ericson, who has become somewhat noted for scenic photography, will soon start on a trip through the southern portion of the county, taking photographs of scenery, buildings, etc. for the World's Fair Association. That body desires to inform everybody that any courtesy or assistance rendered him will be duly appreciated by the association. Let everyone do all in their power to make his tour a success.

FE (9 Sept. 1892) A.W. Ericson [sic] of Arcata who is traveling through southern Humboldt, taking photographs for the County World's Fair Association, photographed Hugh Smith's three immense oxen last Thursday. One of these animals weighs a little over 2,300 pounds.

FE (30 Sept. 1892) Hugh Smith informs us that photographer Ericson of Arcata will visit Ferndale again in a few days at which time he will take another photograph of his (Hugh's) three immense oxen. The combined weight of these three animals is 6,675 pounds, and they each girt exactly eight feet.

AU (15 Oct. 1892) Among the excellent collection of photographic views taken by A.W. Ericson is a very fine one of the new Table Bluff lighthouse.

AU (28 Jan. 1893) Among the many elegant photographic views taken by Ericson is one of the new four master, Jane L. Stanford, the largest wooden vessel ever built in California. It is a beauty, and we are pleased to state that large orders have been received for copies of the picture.

BLA (25 Feb. 1893) Messrs. A.W. Ericson of Arcata and E. Johnson were callers at the Advocate sanctum Friday of last week, Mr. Ericson having come to Riverside to get some views for the World's Fair.

AU (11 March 1893) Our fellow townsman A.W. Ericson, who had been on a business trip to San Francisco, returned home on the North Fork.

DHS (16 March 1893) Don't forget when you go east to take with you some of Ericson's fine photographic views of large trees, logging scenes, Indians, etc. nearly two hundred of which having been selected by the World's Fair committee for exhibition at San Francisco and Chicago. For sale at Ericson Bros' store, Arcata; Fitzell's drug store, Eureka; Marvin and Lasley, Blue Lake; and Ring and Goble, Ferndale.

AU (6 May 1893) Mr. L.C. Tuttle, ranch man near Garberville, was here on Wednesday. Mr. Tuttle raised the fine band of steers that passed through town on Sunday last on the way to Vance's on Mad river. He went out Wednesday in company with Ericson to have a photograph of the band.

FE (19 May 1893) Photographer Ericksen [sic] of Arcata was in the valley Saturday and Sunday taking photographs of different buildings and scenes for the World's Fair. He photographed the Humboldt Creamery at Arlynda Sunday morning.

FE (2 June 1893) A.W. Ericson, Arcata photographer, has our thanks for two very fine pictures - one of the Russ building and the other of Ferndale.

August 1893. Mabel Closson. "Humboldt Lumbering." Overland Monthly 22(128):155-169. This article is available on-line at Michigan website, but is listed under February, 1893 instead of August. Seven Ericson photos. 1) "Worthless" [end of downed log with man (Ericson ?) standing in front of it; 2) "Felling" [two fallers on spring boards on either side of cut with axes in front of cut]; 3) "The Donkey Engine" [big log on cable being pulled on skid road by donkey]; 4) "24 logs scaling 136,804 feet" [Ericson photo #0334 in Freshwater valley]; 5) "After logging" [cut over land]; 6) "A typical Humboldt Mill" [?]; 7) "An original proprietor" [man in front of sweat house with arms crossed on his chest].

AU (9 Sept. 1893) A.W. Ericson and Fred Mager left for Hoopa Wednesday for a five days trip. Mr. Ericson has gone to secure some views of the Red-Headed-Wood-Pecker dance which commenced last Saturday. The dance lasts 10 days and all the able bodied bucks from the country round engage in it. They commence at the upper end of the valley and dance at every Indian ranch until the lower end is reached after which they finish down on the Klamath. It is danced every two years, the white deer skin dance occurring in the odd years.

AU (16 Sept. 1893) A.W. Ericson returned from a weeks trip to Hoopa Thursday. He procured a number of excellent views of the Red-Headed Woodpecker and White-Deer-Skin dances. Mr. Ericson had to pay them $5 before he could get a picture and then had to catch them on the jump. About 600 Indians and squaws attended but only about 60 bucks danced.

AU (23 Sept. 1893) A.W. Ericson has presented this office with two handsome photos of the recent Indian dance in Hoopa valley.

FE (10 Nov. 1893) Mrs. Herrick is selling off the articles composing this county's exhibit at the World's Fair. Freight being high, it would not pay to bring the exhibit back.

AU (30 Dec. 1893) The Humboldt county pamphlet contains good pictures of Devlin's tannery, the creamery, the Methodist Church, a bird's-eye-view of Arcata, Geo. Zehndner's wheat field, the schoolhouse, the Mad river quarry, a train load of logs at Bayside, Isaac Minor, Jr.'s combination bull donkey, the Arcata wharf, the dyking machine at work near town and pictures of all the Mad river mills and scenes in logging woods above and near Arcata are reproduced, in fact, this locality is especially favored, and every inhabitant of Arcata ought to mail at least one copy to friends east or out of the county, as the value of the book as an advertisement can not be estimated. The price is 50 cents per copy and 10 cents postage will send it to any part of the United States or Canada. They may be obtained from J.E. Mathews or W.T. Bonstell of Eureka.

AU (30 Dec. 1893) "In the Redwood's Realm" - Is the title of the work descriptive of Humboldt county and its resources, issued under the auspices of the Humboldt Chamber of Commerce, and edited by J.M. Eddy of the Nerve. A copy of the book has reached us bearing "Compliments of the Chamber of Commerce Committee." The work contains 112 pages and 253 half tone engravings, taken directly from photographs of actual scenes and objects within our county. Of the entire number of engravings, 126 are from photos taken by A.W. Ericson of Arcata though for some reason only two of them bear his imprint. Besides the many scenes of interest, so faithfully represented by the engravings, the resources of the county are truthfully stated, carefully compiled from the county records and such other reliable data as come within the range of the editor.s researches. A short history of all our county towns is also given, showing how our people have grown and prospered "under forest shades and amid clover blossoms." ...

1893. J.M. Eddy, Humboldt Chamber of Commerce. In the Redwood's Realm. D.S. Stanley & Co. S.F. [In his forward to re-issue of book in 1987, Peter Palmquist credited Ericson with 90% (about 203) photos out of the 226 in the publication.

Circa 1894. Bank of Eureka. Two albums of Ericson Photos, all mounted with typeset captions. The Humboldt County Historical Society in Eureka has both albums. The following identifications may not always reflect the actual captions under the photographs. Album #1 Orleans, Wagon at Berry Summit, Bath Houses at Samoa, Arcata Public School, Big Lagoon (2 photos), Hoopa Valley; Korbel Stump with Children, Weitchpec, After Logging at Vances, Birdseye View of Arcata, Potato Harvest, Scene at Vance's Mill, Redwood Creek Indians. Album #2: Logging at Bayside (3 photos), Vance's Pond (2 photos), Jetty with Trains, Ferndale Bank, Fort Gaston Mill, Eureka Courthouse, Vance's Mill with houses store, lumber yard, Vance's Farm, Angel Ranch, Scene at Fort Gaston, North Fork Falls Mad River, Logging Scene, The Undercut at Walker's Point

1894. James Cox. Our Own Country. St. Louis. 15 Ericson photos identified by Edie Butler with the following glass plate negative numbers: 0036; 0045; 0052; 0057; 0091; 0212; 0213; 0214; 0231; 0235; 0236; 0271; 0271; 0273; 0319. [some photos incorrectly captioned in publication] In Palmquist's Vol. 7, Alan Steen wrote that Martha Herrick sold Ericson's photos to J. Manz Co. Publishers of Chicago after the 1893 World's Fair, who then sold them to Vandawalker Publishing Co. of St. Louis, publishers of a book Our Own Country: A Complete Picturesque America by James Cox. According to Palmquist (Vol. 7), a 1913 reprint of the book was revised by William S. Bryan. It had 18 Ericson photos on pp. 57, 95, 113, 121, 124-128, 131, 133, 135, 227, 233, 237-238, 241, and 243.

AU (6 Jan. 1894) Eureka Letter--..The Humboldt County pamphlet has arrived at last. It was compiled for the World's Fair and would have been a drug on the market if the Midwinter Fair had not turned up. The Chamber of Commerce had hoped that the edition would be finished in time for the exposition in Paris, in the year 1900, but a big fire in Printer's Row in San Francisco stirred up the publishers and the books were finished. Editor Eddy of the Nerve, explained to the Union that the names of the photographers were ordered erased from the plates, but did not state whether the printers were ordered to erase "Evan's patent" on several pictures of bull-donkey logging.

6 Jan. 1894. J.M. Eddy. "Among the California Redwoods." Harper's Weekly. 38(1933):12,14. Four Ericson photos: 1) An Exceptional Train-Load; 2) In the Mill Pond; 3) A Donkey Engine at Work; 4) Wire Cable Logging. Cannot see photos on microfilm. Too dark to reproduce. MF 573

AU (20 Jan. 1894) In Redwood's Realm is having a large sale here, judging from the way the books disappear from the window of the jewelry store of A. Lazarus.

AU (10 Feb. 1894) The county pamphlet "In the Redwood's Realm" for sale at Ericson Bros., Arcata. Price 50 cents. Send a copy to your friends.

FE (16 Feb. 1894) The Times states that A.W. Ericson of Arcata has sent 200, 11x14 photographs of Humboldt scenery and industries, to J.G. Lovern, Chairman of the Midwinter Fair Committee in San Francisco.

AU (28 April 1894) A.W. Ericson succeeded in taking some splendid photographic views of the steamer Pomona as she entered the bay last Sunday, conveying the Native Sons to Eureka. He took three pictures while the steamer was under way, he being on the bay steamer Silva which was likewise under way. The pictures are fine.

AU (12 Jan. 1895) C.H. Weed, representing The Traveler is in town in the interest of that journal. The January member contains five reproductions of Ericson's photographs, comprising mining, logging and landscape scenes.

BLA (9 March 1895) Mr. A.W. Ericson of Arcata shipped Saturday 85 of his finest redwood views, including pictures of leading industries, to the "Exposition of California Products and Manufactures," which takes place about April 15th 1895. They will be forwarded in succession to Berlin, Paris, Brussels, London and Copenhagen.

FE (3 May 1895) Photographer Ericksen [sic] was in town the first of the week. The gentleman has many very handsome views of Humboldt county.

AU (18 May 1895) On Sunday morning 39 wheelmen from Eureka made their appearance in Arcata and stopped long enough in the plaza for Ericson to take a photo of their handsome faces. Then they went on to Vances on Mad river, where Edgar Vance gave them a feed and a trip, on the cars, up to his logging woods and orchard...

BLA (7 Sept. 1895) Wednesday afternoon Messrs. A.W. Ericson, H.O. Meyers [sic] and Carl Wass of Arcata returned from a trip to Hoopa valley where they went to attend the "white deer skin" dance by the Indians. Mr. Ericson had his photographic apparatus along and took views of the aborigines while dancing. They said the Indians seemed to have a "high you" big time there.

AU (14 Sept. 1895) A.W. Ericson and Sylvester Myers returned from Hoopa on Monday, where they had been to take in the white deer skin dance, which the Indians have held every year since the whites first knew them. Mr. Ericson obtained some views of the Indians in dancing costume.

AU (28 Sept. 1895) Humboldt Abroad - The Berlin Illustrated News, a weekly paper of large circulation all over the world, devoted a whole page on September 1st to describing and illustrating the California Product Exhibit in Berlin. Among other things, the paper speaks of Humboldt's great redwood business, noticing bark of trees 24 feet in diameter and predicts a great future for redwood bark as a good substitute for felt and material for manufacturing paper. The attention of the paper was directed to Humboldt by some pictures sent to it by the Ericson brothers.

AU (26 Oct. 1895) Some fine photos of the late white deer skin Indian dance at Hoopa are displayed in the Ericson Bros. window.

AU (15 Feb. 1896) Ericson has displayed in his window a picture of the power room of the electric light works. The engine and the two dynamos show up quite plainly.

May 1896. The Traveler VII(5):71. Article "Humboldt County" by D.G. Waldron. Four photos of Humboldt County. No photographer is identified for any, but one "Landing on Eureka and Klamath R.R." is identified by Carranco (Redwood Lumber Industry, 1981) as an Ericson photo. He captioned it: "Officials of Vance Mill & Lumber company pose before a large redwood log at the Big Bonanza mill in 1885. The locomotive Onward is at the left." The 1885 date is too early for an Ericson photo and the Eureka and Klamath R.R. Possibly the others are Ericson photos, also: "Partial View of Eureka;" "Ferndale, Home of Humboldt' Dairy Products;" and "John Vance Lumber Mill, Eureka."

AU (20 June 1896) The Alliance dairymaids were "photoed" by Ericson one day this week. The young ladies looked quite charming in their bright costumes.

AU (20 June 1896) Humboldt Wheelman Run - One of the largest and most successful runs ever given in the county was made to the mouth of Mad river last Saturday. The run was made from Eureka at a slow pace and they arrived here at 10 o'clock over 50 strong. After a short halt the trip was taken and the mouth of the river soon reached. A number of Arcata club members fell into line and were treated right royally by the Eureka boys. Three expert chowder makers were on the ground early in the day and by noon an appetizing spread of clams, clam juice, clam chowder, hard tack sandwiches, and coffee were ready. The hungry cyclers soon fell to work and the tables were emptied. Attorney Cutler seemed lonesome and left the table. He soon returned however with his old friend Mad River Billie and the pair dined together. After dinner, fishing, swimming, etc. and lounging around helped the time to pass quickly. Ericson caught two excellent pictures of the crowd with Mad River Billie and his trainers in racing attitude in the foreground.

AU (1 Aug. 1896) Pierre Duryee, who is engaged in getting up Humboldt editions of the Overland Monthly, visited Arcata Monday.

AU (8 Aug. 1896) A.W. Ericson has returned from a trip to the lower Klamath, where he went to procure photos of Indians and scenic views. A dance was in progress when he arrived there, the dance known as the red-headed woodpecker dance, in which the Indians adorn their heads with crowns of the woodpecker scalp. Next to the white deer skin, the woodpecker scalp is the most highly prized of Indian values. The Indians generally have a holy horror of being photoed, and when they sit at all for pictures, the privilege is based altogether on a cash consideration. Photographers are regarded as their natural enemy, and the approach of a "picture man" to one of their camps, particularly if a dance happens to be in progress, is generally an occasion for threatened hostilities against the pale face. Ericson was warned by a "friend," an Indian, not to approach the dance camp. But he was onto the scheme. The "friend" was an Indian boss, and could pacify the Indians for $5. Ericson struck a bargain with him and procured two fine pictures of the Indians in costume. He also got some fine views of the lower Klamath and of the lagoons between there and Trinidad.

AU (22 Aug. 1896) The September number of the Overland Monthly contains an article on Humboldt County, its railroads, redwoods and shipbuilding, etc. J.E. Mathews, Eureka agent.

DHS (22 Sept. 1896) During the fair time only, Ericson's photographic views will be sold for 25 cents each (half price). Leave orders at exhibit or Fitzell Bros. [First annual fair of Eureka mechanical and agricultural association]

Sept. 1896. Melville M. Vaughan. "A California Principality; Humboldt and Its Redwoods." Overland Monthly 28(166):328-368. Hard copy F868 .H8 V38 Hum. Co. Coll.; MF 460. Recognized Ericson photos. 1) Arcata Wharf; 2) Arcata view looking southwest down H Street from about 12th street with Methodist Church on corner; 3) Harpst and Spring Creamery; 4) Union Shingle Mill

AU (3 Oct. 1896) Some Fine Displays at the Late Eureka Fair--...A.W. Ericson received first prize for his display of landscape photographs of the county. He had all his best pictures on exhibition and one could always find a crowd looking at them.

c. 1896. "Eureka and Humboldt County" Holiday Edition Thompson's Illustrated Quarterly. R.M. Thompson & Co. Publishers. Many Ericson photos, including a view of the Klamath River, North Fork Falls on Mad River, redwood scenes, Orleans, Trinidad Wharf, Gold mine near the Klamath, pack train at Alliance, H Street photo in Arcata, Humboldt Manufacturing Co.'s mill in Arcata, trainload of logs with caption, "Trainload of 24 Humboldt Redwood Logs, scaling 136,804 feet" [this is not the photo on page 164 of Overland Monthly, Aug 1893, which has similar caption], and the Arcata wharf with his advertisement: "A.W. and R. Ericson, the well-known landscape photographers of Arcata, have conducted their present establishment here for five years. Mr. A.W. Ericson has resided here twenty-eight years, while R. Ericson came fifteen years later. They conduct a variety store, embracing books, stationery, musical merchandise, novelties, etc., attend to picture-framing and are also noted for their fine work in landscape photography. Many of our engravings of scenery are from photographs taken by Ericson. They have made a very extensive collection of views throughout Humboldt County. Tourists and others should inspect them. Many of their pictures are of scenes and incidents not likely to be secured again, and as such, will be valuable in recording the past history of this section."

AU (26 June 1897) That Redwood Cross Section - A full account of the slab, or cross section of redwood, shipped by the Vance mill company some time ago to England, and for what purpose it was shipped, has been published in our county papers, but some doubts were expressed as to the piece having been shipped to decide a bet, as mentioned elsewhere. To set the matter at rest and to establish the truth of the same, we published the following:

Arcata, June 20th, 1897
Austin Wiley, Esq.
Arcata Union

Dear Sir: The enclosed is taken from the London Globe, the largest London evening paper and may be of interest to some of your readers. I am given to understand that this cross section was cut and shipped by Messrs. Vance, quite near home, as you will observe. I fancy we must have a friend in Court, as the saying is, for I notice the Globe never loses a chance of praising Humboldt and her products. Yours very truly, Hume L. Fry.

"Astor's Wager to Seat 40 Guests at a Table Made of a Slice of a Big Tree -
"A telegram from San Francisco to the New York Sun announces that the German ship Maria Hackfield, loading there for London, took on board a piece of cargo consigned to Mr. William Waldorf Astor. It is a great slab of redwood, the cross section of one of the big trees of California, 14 feet and 5 inches in diameter. Under present circumstances its shipment to London is of more than ordinary interest, for it will decide a wager in favor of Mr. Astor and demonstrate that he did not exaggerate the size of the big trees in California. At a dinner party given some time ago in London, Mr. Astor spoke about the great redwoods. Some of his hearers, to Mr. Astor.s annoyance, were skeptical and to prove his assertion he offered a wager that he could procure from one cross section of a California big tree a table large enough to accommodate all the 40 guests then assembled. The wager was accepted and hence the shipment. The piece of redwood was cut from one of many giant trees in Humboldt county forests, and is without a blemish."

AU (24 July 1897) A.W. Ericson has opened a photographic tent on the east side of the plaza, where you may have your "phiz" registered on short notice.

Sept. 1897. The Traveler X(3). San Francisco. The cover photo is captioned "Logging in Humboldt County, Cal." Ericson photo of log with cables attached, three men (one standing; two sitting) on ground in front of log and eight men and a boy standing and two men sitting on the log.

AU (11 Sept. 1897) The Eureka Mechanical and Agricultural Fair has drawn large numbers of people to Eureka this week... The Humboldt Manufacturing Company have a number of Indian baskets on exhibition... A.W. Ericson has a number of photographic views of Humboldt county on exhibition...

FE (28 Sept. 1897) A.W. Ericksen [sic] of Arcata had a fine exhibit of photographic scenes in Humboldt in the Ferndale fair pavilion last week. The pictures attracted a great deal of attention.

Nov. 27 1897. "The Giant Redwood Trees of California" Scientific American LXXVII(22):347. MF 546. Ericson photo of the redwood slab that was sent to London. Did not reproduce from microfilm.

FE (7 Dec. 1897) The last number of the Scientific American contains an illustrated article descriptive of the method of getting out and transporting the section of a big redwood tree that was cut by the John Vance M.&L. Co. last summer and shipped to William Waldorf Astor at London, England. The illustration is a half-tone engraving made from a photograph furnished by A.W. Erickson [sic] of Arcata and shows the manner in which the section was brought out over the logging railroad.

AU (18 Dec. 1897) Some time last summer, the Union gave an elaborate write up of the big redwood cut prepared and shipped to London by the Vance Lumber Company from the Mad river woods. Ericson photographed the piece, cut out the notice of the Union, pasted it on the back of one of his photos and forwarded, without a word of comment to the Scientific American. Last week Mr. Ericson received the following note from the office to which the picture was sent.

Scientific American
New York
Nov. 26th, 1897

Mr. A.W. Ericson
Arcata, Cal.

Dear Sir: We enclose our check for $5 in payment of photograph which you kindly sent us illustrative of the great trees of Calif. for which many thanks. We send a copy of the paper under another cover. Yours faithfully, Munn & Co.

AU (12 March 1898) The Arcata Cash Store has on exhibition in their windows a couple of photos, taken by Ericson, of operations in their bolt camps. The pictures show a couple of immense trees being work[ed] up into bolts.

Nov. 1898. The Traveler. VII(5):72. San Francisco publication. Ericson photo of "Mad River Bridge."

AU (18 Feb. 1899) The February number of the Windsor Magazine, published in London, contains a general write-up of the redwood forests of California, which is profusely illustrated with half-tones. The article contains views of the finest redwood photographs ever produced and they all bear the name of our fellow citizen A.W. Ericson, who, since the exhibition of his collection at the World's Fair [in] 1893, has received orders from all corners of the globe of his justly celebrated views. Two of the photos were taken in the woods of the Humboldt Mfg. Co., one of which shows Secretary Cullberg and Foreman Chaffey felling a tree 21 feet in diameter and the inscription beneath it reads, "felled with axes, because no saw was long enough to cut through it."

February 1899. James Lindsay. "Giants of the Forest." The Windsor Magazine, An Illustrated Monthly for Men and Women. IX:345-351.Ward, Lock & Co., Limited, London. Ericson photos: 1) "A Log Seventeen Feet Thick" [cables on logs, 10 men on top of log; 3 men on ground in front]; 2) "Tree Measuring Twenty-One Feet in Diameter, Felled With Axes Because No Saw Was Long Enough to Cut Through It" [3 men on springboards, 1 man on ground]; 3) "A Redwood Forest in California" [man with beard on stump in foreground]; 4) "Trunk Measuring Twenty Feet in Diameter" [man standing beside cut end of tree with his hat thrown up on the cut]; 5) "Mr. William Astor's Dining Table on Its Way to the Coast" [cross section chained to a timber with man standing at side]; 6) "Tree Calculated from its Rings to be Nine Hundred Years Old" [log cut into cross sections, one man standing in front, one on top of log, two men sawing at the side]; 7) "A Train of Logs Hauled Through the Forest by a Steel Cable Attached to a Stationary Steam-Engine" [Logs on skid road, chain and cable visible on front of first log; inscription on front log "Excelsior Redwood Co. Eureka, Cal. 10 Ft. DIA." "20 Logs, 75305 Ft. BM"]; 8) "Logs Hauled by Horses" [ten horses, leads are white, only two dark horses, pulling logs on skid road]; 9) "The Modern Railway System" [locomotive with line of cars each with a single log, man standing on first log car; Ericson's #0334].

AU (29 April 1899) A.W. Ericson, Arcata's famous landscape photographer, was called to Vances new camp on Wednesday to take views of a mammoth redwood that was felled in the woods there that morning. Neil Crowley and Ben Mattress leveled the giant, which measured 20 feet in diameter.

AU (14 Oct. 1899) The Crescent City "News" says that A.W. Ericson of Arcata has rented the Record Photograph Gallery at that place and will for a short time take stamp photos, 35 of the same in seven different positions for 50 cents.

Oct. 14, 1899. The Wave. Humboldt County Number. XX(16)7-25. San Francisco. Published every Saturday. 95 photos plus 27 portraits, plus six photos on pg. 6. Photos recognized as Ericson's 1) "The Latest Cut of Large Timber" [this is one of the three photos of the big logs at Vance M.&L. Co., it is the one with the man in the dark coat and white hat sitting in front of the first log]; 2) North Fork Falls on Mad River; 3) Hoopa Valley; 4) Logging with Stationary Engine [written on log "Excelsior Redwood Co., Eureka, Cal. 10 Ft. Dia"]; 5) Arcata Wharf; 6) View of Arcata looking southwest down H from about 12th Street with Methodist Church on corner; 7) Klamath River; 8) Stump Twenty-Two Feet in Diameter; 9) Redwood Forest on Eel River; 10) Remnant of a Redwood Forest; 11) Masonic Temple [Arcata City Hall]; 12) Arcata School [11th and M streets]; 13) Ferndale Bank. F 868 .H8 W32 1899 Hum. Co. Coll.

DHS (31 Oct. 1899) A Monster Redwood; A Primeval Giant of Humboldt's Forests Cut at Vances on Mad River - Another giant of our forests, which in its youth while Caesar was yet making history in the Old World, was already peering over its fellows out on the broad Pacific, has been laid low. It was a giant among the giants of the celebrated Vance timber on Mad river, or more properly speaking, Lindsay creek, and as such its huge proportions have been preserved by the photographer's art, but from a commercial instead of an artistic point of view. The photograph, an excellent piece of work by A.W. Ericson of Arcata, whose redwood views are famous all over the civilized world shows only a few of the huge logs as they were cut from the tree and except for the comparison with living objects nearby affords but a limited idea of the immense proportions of the tree.

The tree is estimated at something over 300 feet in height and one-half of this presented as a colossal shaft, bare of limbs. The diameter of this vegetable column was 16 ½ feet at the butt, tapering to 8 feet at the first limb, 150 feet above the ground. By way of comparison, if the tree stood at the nucleus corner of Market street in San Francisco, a man perched on its top could almost look over the top of the Call building, the dome's tip of this building being 310 feet above the ground.

From a commercial standpoint, the value of the tree was proportionate to its size as it furnished 8 logs of an average diameter of 11.87 feet.6 logs each 20 feet in length and 2 logs 16 and 14 feet, respectively, the contents of which amounted to 166,125 feet, board measure, which allowing for the kerf and waste in sawing, should make about 133,000 feet of lumber. The total weight of the logs cut was 747,000 pounds or 4 ½ pounds to each foot of board measure. The lumber obtained from three such trees would be a full cargo for one of the ordinary coasting schooners engaged in the lumber trade.

AU (11 Nov. 1899) In a private note to this office from A.W. Ericson, who is doing photography work at Crescent City, the gentleman informs us that he is doing well.

Circa 1900 Promotional Booklet "Farm, Forest and Dairy Lands of Eureka, Humboldt County, California" Eureka and Klamath River Railroad publication. Ericson photo. Reference from Palmquist Vol. 7.

AU (31 March 1900) A.W. Ericson, who has been in the photograph business in Crescent City for some months past, returned this week.

AU (5 May 1900) A.W. Ericson of Arcata left on the last Del Norte for Coos Bay.

AU (1 Dec. 1900) A.W. Ericson, who has been in the photograph business at Marshfield, Oregon for the past six months, arrived home this week to spend the holidays with his family.

January 1901. Theodore Gontz. "Indians of the Hoopa Reservation." Overland Monthly 37(1):630-637. Eight Ericson photos. 1) "White Deerskin Dance at Hoopa, Cal;" 2) "The Basket Maker, Hoopa Valley Reservation" [basket maker on Mad River]; 3) "Redhead Woodpecker Dance at Pecwon Creek, Klamath River, Cal.;" 4) "Group of Klamath Indians at Redwood Creek, Cal." [probably Redwood Creek Indians on Redwood Creek]; 5) "Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation, Humboldt County, Cal." [sweathouse at Pecwan]; 6) "Man and Soul at Trinidad: Man 100 years and Soul about 70 years" [Mau and Saul in front of sweat house, probably not that old]; 7) "Indian Kah-Hah, Witchpuk, Cal., 100 years old or over" [probably not that old]; 8) "Indian Sweat House" [People at the Hoopa Reservation Agency, switched with #5 above]. MF 460.

April 1901. Steward Culin. "A Summer Trip Among the Western Indians." (The Wanamaker Expedition) Bulletin of the Free Museum of Science & Art of the University of Pennsylvania. III(2):88 et seq. Philadelphia. Portion regarding his trip from San Francisco to Hoopa, pp. 102-122. On page 106, he wrote: "I also found an intelligent photographer in Arcata, who had lived on intimate terms with the Indians and had a fine series of views of the old dances. Some of his pictures I have reproduced herewith."

Ericson photos: "View of Hupa Valley, California;" "Basket-maker, Hupa Valley, California" [actually Mad River basket maker]; "The White Deer-skin Dance, Hupa Valley, California" [photo of two men in western dress, one of whom is Capt. John]; "White Deer-skin Dance, Hupa Valley, California;" "White Deer-skin Dance, Hupa Valley, California;" "Basket Dance, Hupa Valley, California" [actually Jump Dance at Pecwan with boy in front]

AU (30 June 1900) Steward Culin, Professor Anthropology of the University of Pennsylvania, visited Arcata last week in the interests of his university. The professor was in California collecting Indian curios for his college museum and other great museums in the East. He spent some time among the Indians of Mendocino county, and came up overland to Humboldt. Professor Culin made a trip to Hoopa where he collected a quantity of baskets and other articles and purchased a quantity from Brizard's Emporium in Arcata which were among the lot selected by Brousse Brizard at Hoopa, Orleans, and other places. Professor Culin was especially interested in any articles used in Indian games, they being his special study. He secured a fine lot of curios.

AU (15 June 1901) A.W. Ericson, Arcatass scenic photographer, is doing the "photo" business at Hoopa for a few weeks.

BLA (13 July 1901) Willow Creek, July 9 - Ericson, the Arcata photographer, is camped here with his son.

BLA (20 July 1901) Willow Creek, July 17 - A.W. Ericson of Arcata left Wednesday for home with his photographic outfit.

AU (2 Nov. 1901) Crescent City News - A.W. Ericson, the photographer, accompanied by his son, Edgar, will take passage on the Del Norte next week for San Pedro. Mr. Ericson came here from Arcata several weeks ago and has been doing quite an extensive business in the picture line, besides buying up Indian baskets for shipment to the East. He was also employed by Isaac Minor to take a series of views of redwood forests on Smith river and Mill creek, recently purchased by that gentleman. We have some of the views in this office, compliments of Ericson and Son and pronounce them first-class. They have our thanks and best wishes for future success.

1902. Humboldt County Souvenir; Being a Frank, Fair and Accurate Exposition, Pictorially and Otherwise, of this Magnificent Section of California. Issued by the Humboldt Times, under the Auspices and Direction of the Supervisors of Humboldt County and the Humboldt Chamber of Commerce. Times Printing Company (2nd edition 1904) F 868 H8 S7 Hum Co Coll.

Forward: "Humboldt County, a veritable empire in itself, has long laid virtually undisturbed, in the northwestern part of California. There is no section in the Golden State today where natural resources give so great an opportunity for development. But, having no rail connection with the outside world, the stream of home-seekers pouring into the west has never been directed toward this region, though it presents as great, and greater, attractions than many other parts of the Pacific Coast. Now the demand is general.requests are coming from all parts of the United States.for full and correct information regarding Humboldt. It is to meet this demand that this volume is issued. It is in a measure supplementary to the publication, In the Redwood's Realm, issued in 1893, though in scope and handling, it diverges from it not a little, to coincide with conditions which have arisen since that time." C.S. Milnes, Editor and Manager.

This publication contains many Ericson photographs, some identified with his name, others without the characteristic "A.W. Ericson."

BLA (5 July 1902) Hoopa, June 30 - Mr. Benham of Phoenix, Arizona is in the valley purchasing Indian baskets, etc. [see April 1903]

AU (16 Aug. 1902) A.W. Ericson and son Eddie, who have been absent from Arcata for nearly a year in the southern part of the state doing photographic work, arrived home this week.

c. 1903. A. Brizard, Arcata, Cal. "Indian Baskets, Hupa and Klamath River." Catalogue. Three Ericson photos: 1) cover photo of Mary Major with burden basket on back; 2) collection of baskets, but unclear if photo was taken by Ericson; 3) Jump Dance at Pecwan; 4) Miss Kruger in Hupa dress.

April 1903 A.M. Benham. "Hupa Indians and Their Ideal Location." The Papoose pp. 3-10. Copy of publication obtained from Kathy Howard, Ph.D., Scottsdale, Arizona. Three Ericson Photos: "Deerskin Dance Costume of Hupas" [White Deerskin Dance]; "Festival Dance Costume of Hupas" [Jump Dance at Pecwan with boy in front]; "Half Breed Hupa Girl in Dance Dress, Showing Mode of Wearing Hupa Squaw Cap" [Miss Kruger but different photo than #0079].

BLA (13 June 1903) A.W. Ericson of Arcata has opened a photo tent near the Catholic Church, Blue Lake, for a few days only and all those wishing to have their pictures taken should take advantage of this opportunity.

July 1903. F.W. Emerson. "Among the Redwoods of Humboldt County." Overland Monthly XLII(1):69-96. Ericson photos. [photos difficult to see on microfilm; too poor to reproduce].

AU (21 Oct. 1903) A.W. Ericson, the Arcata photographer, took some nice views of several new buildings on the hill last week and has laid on our table several handsome views for which he has our thanks.

AU (11 Nov. 1903) Fine Views - A.W. Ericson, Arcata's well-known photographer, has been taking some fine scenic views of Arcata and surrounding country. They were snapped from the roof of the Falk house and take in on the east the Morgan home, and the country about Jacoby Creek, while the next one takes in the moulding mill, barrel factory, and the country lying towards Eureka. There are two more views to this set of pictures that take in southwest Arcata and Bay districts and several nice homes on the hill and the country lying between town and the peninsula. They are elegantly toned and would make a nice Christmas present for anyone absent from here. The photos are worth looking at and well worth having. Gus remembered this office with a set of the views and has our thanks for the same.

1903-1904. Pliny Earl Goddard. "Life and Culture of the Hupa." University of California Publications American Archaeology and Ethnology Vol. 1(1)pp 3-90, plus plates. Ericson photos.

AU (13 April 1904) Photographer A.W. Ericson has the thanks of this office for a fine photograph of the interior of the Episcopal Church, which was taken during the time the Easter decorations were up. It is a remarkably clear picture and shows every detail of the beautiful lilies and other flowers.

FE (5 Aug. 1904) The Ericson Brothers of Arcata are turning out a large order of their Humboldt scenes. It consists of 500 assorted views and is for Frank Holliday, who will leave for Memphis, Tenn. in a few weeks. He expects to dispose of the lot in the southern states.

AU (3 Sept. 1904) Frank Holiday, who will soon depart for the St. Louis Exposition and other points in the south, was a caller at the Union office the other day and procured several copies of the Humboldt county souvenir which he expects to take with him. He also has several hundred views in the redwoods and other points of interest that were taken by A.W. Ericson with which he expects to advertise Humboldt county.

AU (14 Sept. 1904) A.W. Ericson, the local photographer, has just issued a number of souvenir postal cards with views of the redwoods of this county and of the Klamath and Hoopa Indians on them. They are for sale at the stores of C.E. Gillis and the photograph gallery. Several of the views were presented to this office and they are a very good way of advertising this county.

December 1904. Winifred Fry Webster. "Humboldt Indians." Out West Vol. 21, pp. 503-514. In: A Collection of Ethnographical Articles on the California Indians. Robert F. Heizer, Editor. Ballena Press, Ramona, CA 1976. E78 C15 C682

AU (4 Jan. 1905) Humboldt Indians - The December number of Out West, a California magazine published in San Francisco and Los Angeles, contains an interesting article signed by Miss Winifred S. Fry, who is now Mrs. Webster of Williamstown, Mass. The article was written when the writer was a resident of Arcata and has just been published. It is a description of the several tribes of Humboldt Indians and touches upon their language, traditions, customs, as well as a description of their dances and other ceremonies. It is illustrated by a number of excellent reproductions of Ericson's photographs, among which might be mentioned the Woodpecker dance, the White Deer Skin dance, Captain John of Hoopa, scene on Hoopa reservation, the Brizard collection of baskets and curios, and a scene on Mad river of a squaw making baskets. The article is one of the clearest and best written on this topic for a long time past and cannot help but attract attention to this locality. [Heizer's reprint omits the Brizard basket photo]

AU (17 May 1905) Pictured Our Redwoods- The writer was recently shown a copy of the "Farm and Fireside," an excellent paper with an immense circulation, published in the East.

The number referred to had a write up on our Humboldt county redwoods sent in by B. Deming, which was given a prominent position on the front page. The article was illustrated by two of Ericson's pictures, one of an immense train of logs and the other of a scene in the logging woods. The write up should prove to be a good ad for Humboldt county.

FE (6 June 1905) [Supplement] About 300 photos of Humboldt scenes are being gotten out by Photographer Erickson [sic] of Arcata. The pictures are being made for J.A. Fanning of Eureka, who will take the photographs East with him in a short time.

June-September, 1905. Stewart Culin. "Report on a Collecting Expedition Among the Indians of Arizona and California." Brooklyn Institute Museum. Pages relating to Humboldt County 38-81. p. 60 "August 22nd. I found the photographer, A.W. Ericson, from whom I bought some excellent pictures of the Hupa Indians on my last visit, still in Arcata, and ordered from him a series of prints of the same subjects for the Museum." p. 80 [September 1st] "Mr. Ericson has my photographs ready this morning, and I have added to them a few additional prints illustrating some of the gigantic redwood logs. One of them represents a section of a redwood, 22 feet in diameter, which was shipped to England for a table top..." According to Palmquist, Vol. 7, there were 39 images of Hupa, Yurok, and Karuk in this 1905 report.

AU (23 May 1906) Have You Seen the Whale? [whale washed up on beach two miles below mouth of Mad River] A.W. Ericson with his picture machine appeared later in the afternoon and secured a couple of snapshots. One of the pictures was taken with a number of sight-seers perched on top of the late departed...

AU (18 Jan. 1908) Photographer A.W. Ericson visited the Minor granite quarry near Warren creek recently, in company with Isaac Minor, and took a number of fine views of the quarry. Mr. Greig has a cook, an engineer, and a crew of several men and considerable progress has been made toward getting out the mammoth granite blocks for the Minor mausoleum. One boulder which is at least thirty feet through has been split up and some immense slabs have been shaped up. The plan is now to build a spur track up Warren creek to the quarry and take the heavy slabs out in this way and bring them to Arcata over the A.&.M.R.R.

AU (18 April 1908) A.W. Ericson and son, Edward, will leave on Sunday, April 25th, for a months trip to San Francisco and other parts of the state. They will be at the battleship fleet reception in San Francisco and Mr. Ericson will undoubtedly secure a fine lot of pictures.

AU (12 Sept. 1908) A.W. Ericson is now putting out a couple of postal cards, which joined together give a fine panoramic view of the north and west sides of the plaza, as well as the greater portion of the town, showing four of the churches, the McKinley statue, and most of the fine residences on the hill. The picture was taken by Ed Ericson from the top of the Brizard building. He is going to take more views so as to show three sides of the plaza.

AU (17 Oct. 1908) Get Some Fine Views - A.W. Ericson and son Ed returned from a trip to Crescent City on Tuesday after an absence of six days, leaving Arcata on the previous Wednesday. Mr. Ericson secured a number of good views among which were some pictures of Lake Earl Indians. He secured an excellent negative of old Mahatch and wife, who are claimed by those informed to be the oldest Indian couple in California. The squaw is totally blind and the Indian goes about on all fours like an animal. They had to be paid a good round sum before they would consent to pose, and then only after considerable "pow-wowing." The face of the old blind squaw is a study in wrinkles and the negative will make a fine postal card. Mr. Ericson secured a fine picture of an Indian maiden wearing her cap and full holiday regalia. It is very similar to the picture of the "Hoopa Queen" which Mr. Ericson has been so successful with. Ed Ericson also took a number of views with a similar camera, most of which will be used on postals.

AU (28 Aug. 1909) A.W. Ericson and son Ed left on Friday for a six-weeks' trip to Los Angeles, where they have taken a shipment of photos of Humboldt county views and Indian baskets and curios. They will put them on display and dispose of them to tourists who are generally eager for articles of this sort. The display of the pictures will be a good advertisement for the county.

Sept. 11, 1909. The Californian. Souvenir Edition. Recognized Ericson photos: 1) "Redwood Tree 16 ½..." (paper torn) [Same photo as the "The Latest Cut of Large Timber" which is one of the three Vance M.&L. Co. photos; this one with man in dark coat sitting in front of log]; 2) photo looking southwest down H Street in Arcata from about 12th Street with Methodist Church on corner; 3) Redwood log with man leaning against the cut end. F868 .H8 1909 Hum. Co. Coll.

AU (5 March 1910) All Things Come To Him Who Waits [Congress appropriates money for Humboldt Bar improvements] Article includes Ericson photo of wharf, captioned "Busy day at A.&.M.R.R. Dock Near Arcata."

AU (5 March 1910) California Redwood and Indian Views - A.W. Ericson, whose redwood and Indian views have appeared in publications all over the world, has an ad in this issue calling attention to the views he carries in stock, together with prices. Mr. Ericson has made an enviable reputation for his views and has some plates of Indian dances and ceremonies, now almost obsolete, that will in time be invaluable. His redwood logging views are also much sought after.

AU (17 Sept. 1910) A.W. Ericson and his son Ed and A.F. Perham left this week for a camping trip to Weitchpec and Martin's Ferry, expecting to return next week. Mr. Ericson is taking a number of pictures and Mr. Perham is looking after some mining properties in the mountain sections.

AU (8 Oct. 1910) A.W. Ericson has presented the Union office with a couple of views taken on his last pilgrimage to the Klamath. They were taken at Martin.s Ferry and are gems of scenic photography, one is a view of the rugged old Klamath, looking towards the coast while the other is taken from up the stream looking towards the mouth of Pine creek. The views are worthy of a place in any art collection and should be seen to be fully appreciated.

Dec. 24, 1910. The Californian. Special Edition XXVI(13) no page numbers. Recognized Ericson photos. 1) "Big Lagoon Where Fish Are Plentiful" [Ericson Photo #0048 with flooded fence]; 2) North Fork Falls on Mad River; 3) Arcata Union High School; 4) Klamath River [same as 1899 Wave]; 5) mounds of clover hay on Arcata Bottom [Redwood's Realm 1893]; 6) Redwood Stump 27 Feet in Diameter [Ericson standing in front?]; redwood log 19 ½ feet in diameter [one of the three photos of the log at Vance M.&.L. Co.; one with fellow in dark coat sitting in front]; 7) photo of McKinley statue looking through palm trees; 8) Pythian Castle; 9) Arcata City Hall; 10) Arcata Wharf; 11) ten photos of churches, houses and schools; 12) Hoopa Indian School; 13) Willie Childs with burden basket on back; 14) Indian Agency at Hoopa. F868 .H8 C275 Hum. Co. Coll.

AU (14 Jan. 1911) Historic Pictures - A.W. Ericson recently received an album from John Daggett, the California pioneer who lives at Black Bear in Siskiyou county, containing a number of interesting photographs, which Mr. Daggett has been years in collecting, the collection being sent to Mr. Ericson with permission to make copies of any he might desire. Several of the scenes are of Mr. Daggett's home "White House," and gives an idea of the beauties of the place, with its vine-covered porches, shady trees, etc. Views of the orchard and portions of the ranch are also shown and some beautiful mountain pictures with wonderful cloud effects make the collection most attractive. Mr. Daggett has taken some striking snow scenes, showing the appearance of the mountains and trees covered with a heavy fall of snow, and a picture of a cabin buried to the eaves in snow gives one an idea of the snowfall on the high ridges. This picture is made unique by the figures of the mail carrier passing over the summit on snow shoes, leading a mule loaded with mail, and also wearing snow shoes. Putting snow shoes on animals may seem queer to some people, but it is a big help in getting over soft snow, and is a common practice in high altitudes.

Among the interesting pictures of historic interest contained in the album are several pictures taken at Sawyers Bar, one of the first mining camps opened in the Golden state. One of them is a picture of the old Catholic Church. A picture is also shown of the old post office, Mr. Daggett being the post master in 1858. The old Court House, which was built by J. Englefriend for a brewery in 1860, but afterwards converted into a Temple of Justice, is also depicted. Mr. Daggett posses portraits of Edward Cowan, a blacksmith of Sawyers Bar, who wore a beard which swept the floor and also of Alfred Cave, who was known in this vicinity. The album contains a number of most interesting photos of Mexican scenes, including ancient gold mines, etc. and also a number showing the entrance of the battle ship fleet into the Golden Gate.

AU (11 July 1912) Getting Ready For Exposition - Ericson Bros. have received a magnificent enlarging camera from the Eastman Company and now have the machine ready for business at their studio. The gentleman will begin work at once reproducing all their best redwood and other scenic views along with their famous collection of Indian pictures. From a film or plate of any dimensions up to 8 x 10 inches, the machine will enlarge to 16 x 20 inches. With the plates they have to work from, the gentlemen will be able to exhibit a collection at the Panama Exposition that will be hard to beat. They will have samples on display at an early date.

July 27, 1912. The Californian. XXIX(15) Eureka Printing Co. Ericson photos 1) Big Lagoon, scene with fence; 2) Arcata plaza; 3) Samoa Mill; 4) New River Mill Town; 5) Hoopa Indian School; 6) "Hauling Logs by Cable to Train" with "Evan's Patent" printed on photo. F868 .H8 C275 Hum. Co. Coll.

1914. The Californian. [no cover, so date is missing] Ericson photos include 1) North Fork Falls on Mad River; 2) The Undercut, about seventeen feet in diameter; 3) Logging Trains on the Eureka and Klamath Railroad; 4) General View of Trinidad; 5) View of Arcata looking down H Street with Methodist Church on corner of 12th; 6) J.E. Crawford Store; 7) possibly some of the creameries. F 868 .H8 C275 supplement No. 18, c. 1914 Hum. Co. Coll.

AU (4 May 1916) Photographer A.W. Ericson has left at this office a set of views recently taken by his son Ed at the site of the Humboldt Normal. The pictures are to be used in a pictorial catalogue for the Normal, now being printed at the state printing office and several cuts will be made of the Ericson pictures. One is a large panorama taken from the lower corner of the site showing the broad stretch of bottom land, bay and ocean, with Eureka and Arcata in plain view. The other picture is of the new building, showing students and faculty assembled in front and both cuts will prove valuable advertising features for the school.

AU (14 Oct. 1920) Edgar Ericson has the thanks of the Union office for three fine postal views of the Arcata Plaza and H street taken during the last day of the fair. It shows the street crowded with autos and indicates a busy day in the White City.

Oct. 19, circa 1940s. Ericson Photos Shown in Times' Knowledge Books/Photographs Were Taken Many Years Ago of Indians, Arcata. A number of photographs taken by A.W. Ericson of the A.W. Ericson photography company of Arcata, appear under the article "The California Indians," published in the second volume of the series, University of Knowledge, presented by the Times Publishing Company. The pictures are of members of the Kurok [sic] tribe, or Klamath Indians, as they are more commonly know, and were taken between 45 and 50 years ago, his son E.W. Ericson of Arcata stated: FRIENDS OF INDIANS/Always a friend of the Indians, his son said, he was a welcome spectator at their tribal ceremonies and through this was able to secure pictures that are a true portrayal of Indian life.

Among the group, representing "Man's Dress" is Captain John, who was one of the respected chiefs of the tribe and who, no doubt, is remembered by many residents of Humboldt county. "A Girl in Gala Dress" was posed by Miss Kruger, a young Indian maiden who was matron of the Indian school at Hoopa at that time. The picture under the caption "The California Indian Dance" was taken during one of their real ceremonial dances. These pictures were sent by his father, Ericson said, to the Mid-Winter Fair in Chicago in 1893 [World's Fair in Chicago and Mid-Winter Fair in San Francisco] and from there they were acquired by the Field Museum of Chicago. It was through the courtesy of this museum that the pictures were secured for publication. [newspaper article in A.W. Ericson.s biographical file, Humboldt Room, HSU Library]

AU (19 April 1957) [photo of Excelsior Redwood Company logging train; caption has date and location wrong] "The pictures were reproduced from glass negatives found this week by Denver Phillips."

1975. Peter E. Palmquist. Fine California Views: The Photographs of A.W. Ericson. Interface California Corporation. Eureka. Ericson photos.

1989. Peter E. Palmquist with Lincoln Kilian. The Photographers of the Humboldt Bay Region, A.W. Ericson. Vol. 7. Peter E. Palmquist, Arcata. Ericson photos and information.

p.82 Ericson's camera was an 8 by 10 inch format that took glass negatives. He usually made either full size 8x10 negatives or half size, 5x8.