Portraits by Clawson

A skilled photographer, H. Phelps Clawson often took note of the people he met on his journeys, including his trips to France, Egypt and the Sudan as part of the Harvard University - Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition, and during his 1911 excursion to Russia and northern Europe.  Below are a few of those he met and captured with his ever-present camera.



"Bedouin girl and baby near Pyramids, 1927."



"The Oldest Guide," Les Baux, France.  April 13, 1933.



Workmen performing sword dance, Egypt.



Stokers onboard the Dunnottar Castle ocean liner, 1911.



"Roasting coffee.  Eyragues, Bouches-du​-Rhone.  July 19, 1933."



"Scene on the Empress of Britain, July 20, 1911."



Unknown woman, Paris.



"Russian Cossacks at St. Isaac's, St. Petersburg​," 1911



Archaeologist Noel F. Wheeler in Egypt.



"The traveling merchant.  'Bazar ambulant.'  He begins at Marseilles
and visits all the small out of the way towns.  For the household,
he had every imaginable thing.  Greoux les Bains (B.A.).  May 22, 1933."

 

The Empress of Britain, Cossacks, and H. Phelps Clawson

In 1911, at just 19 years of age, H. Phelps Clawson boarded the luxury liner Empress of Britain in Quebec, Canada. At the time, the Empress of Britain was one of the fastest ships crossing the Atlantic.  Clawson took scores of photographs documenting his adventures on board and on land, and his penchant for capturing everyday people and activities is clearly evident, even at this young age.  Making his way through Europe, he also sailed on the Dunottar Castle and the Olympic ocean liners.  A selection of these photographs is on display here, offering a unique view of Scandinavia, France, and Germany before the first World War, as well as pre-Soviet Russia.

Greetings to Buffalo!

The Rare Book Room holds thousands of antique and modern postcards, dating from the late 1800s to the 1990s. The collection began at the old Grosvenor and Buffalo Public libraries. Most were not posted; however, some have messages sent from travelers abroad to loved ones in Buffalo. A small portion dating from the 1920s and 30s is on display here. Click on each image for a larger view.

Postcard from Cairo, Egypt. H.W.W. to Miss Emily M. Williams, February 7, 1935.

Postcard from Heidelberg, Germany. George to Jerome Wereck, July 19, 1937.

Postcard from Paris, France. Sent to Betty Williams, January 17, 1924.

Postcard from Venice, Italy. Grace R. Bials to Mrs. Lawrence Allen.