Postcards from Alaska 1904 - 1910 My search for "Ruby." ‘A one frame’ exhibit of picture posteards selected from a vast collection formed by a 14 year old Cornish gir, ‘The cards having been sent, by three of her brothers, to her and family members, in Stratton, Comwall, England, Objectives 1. Toshare the visual experiences of three brother's prospecting for gold in Alaska duri 2. To search for the young [original] collector of these Post Cards - "Ruby" ne early 20th C Presented in chronological posting date order. Page 1 - Introduction & start of journey and Bibliography Page 2 - Game Birds & Humour Pages 3 & 4 ~ Indigenous peoples - Second brothers arrival Pages 5 & 6- Equipment Pages 7 & 8 ~ Further indigenous peoples - Site Map - Third brother's arrival Pages 9 & 10 - Fauna & transportation Pages 11 & 12 - Transportation Page 16 - Final card with Alaskan connotations - "Ruby" found [her resting place] Blatchford Family Tree Undivided back real photo Post Card Addressed personally to "Ruby" with just a cryptic message on the front; erat eRGeeee "Am leaving for Nome this tveg” ‘Cancale sing wavy bine (1) (2 signature, but researched as being from her eldest Brother, William) SEATTLE WASH. [JULY 25/4-PM/ 1904, thal Line Point bine Ship being towed to sea through the "Golden Gate", San Francisco Bay ‘The narrowest point between Fort Winfield Scott and Lime Point being 1.1/2 miles ‘A Briton & Rey, San Fanciseo card No 502 undivided back [Fort Winfield Scott now known as "The Presidio") Personal research & Bibliography 1901 UK Census. St. Andrews Parish Church, Stratton, Cornwall, England. "The Bude & Stratton Directory & North Coast Visitors List" Saturday Aug 13, 1898, ‘American Philatelist Vol. 108, No.7 July 1994 - "My Search for Ruby" " Anchorage Daily News" Sunday, Aug 14, 1994 Note: Seattle, Washington; amd ‘San Francisco, Calif were the departure ports for Nome, Alaska ikepedia encyclopaedia (internet),These cards sent by three brothers to their young Sister, Ruby see page 16) ‘They, one by one, went to the Gold Fields of Nome, Alaska to find their fortune. A Real Photo Post Card undivided back Ptarmigan at Nome, Western Alaska publster unknown These birds change plumage, being white tn the winter and rich brown in the) summer; corresponding tr colour with the ground; they are protected from birds and animads of prey. Thix photo representy their various tages of plumage: love from wal) Both hose ars hear a 2oent Washington Type SG 325e/ Se. #319 fiom booklet ‘loys wi “Top card canceled Sing Duplex (1) NOME. ALASKA /OCT 19/1230PM 1903 Lower card cancelled Siig Duplex (1) NOME. ALASKA /OCT 25/ 12. M/1908 Cartoon Card (publisher unknown) unde ack Post Card ‘William, has now been joined by his Brother Perey There's a" Bear” chance 1 dot cates DL evrche ye Jom and Cecal 2 Liber oom. Care. Wall write you Tom and Ceol w letter soon. Pere:William, has now been joined by his Brother Perey A Real Photo undivided back Post Card of SKIMO FAM LASK. Addressed to Mrs Blatchford (mother) ne Ts ‘ash bear a 2cen Washinton Type Well dacs herey wishing you a happy.) 5, Sage ewe same xmou & prosperous New Year (Canceled: king Duplex (1) eee ey NOME/ ALASKA/ DEC 21/9 AM 190s ‘A Real Photo undivided back Post Card of SIX LITTLE ARCTIC NATIVES - NOME, ALASKA COPYRIGHT 1908 F MNOWELL Watt Bayan publisher lahing you all a happy Xmas and prosperous New Year. Withlove to all. Percy‘A Real Photo undivided back Post Card of ESKIMO AT PENNY RIVER (publisher unknown) Adios Mr Blatchford (aber | tg 2c Vs Tp ae : sc:sme se 4519 hoabouia shay Wak Wishing you whappy Xmay and Cae Sing Dupe (0) prosperous New Year witivlove | NOME ALASKA DEC 219 AM 1985 Seema rae ‘A Real Photo undivided back Post Card “triptych” of Wintery Street Scenes: Loft - Nome Second Big Fire Jan 3 1903 No.A4i8. Right - Building on right signed "?? CROSS HOSPITAL" with thurch Steeple in background. Lowerleft: Front St. Pony drawn sleigh om left. publisher 0.1.Goetz. Nome, Alaska Addressed Cecil brother) : Poon stg: et Waskinion Type Well Cex I hope you like your work, amv writing in eee afew dayyhaveloty of good news, love to-all ancl Sing Doles 1) Pe of NOME / ALASKA | FEB 22/9 AM/ 1906,A Real Photo undivided back Post Card of Shooting White Horse Rapids, Yukon Territory ARP LITHO.CO,, publisher San Francisco Addressed to: Sally Blatchford (Sister) Lam ylad yow are with Mother and have left shoot: love to-ali Perc ‘A Real Photo undivided back Post Card of ‘98,000 Clean up No. 8 Anvil Nome Alaska (publisher unknown) Addressed to Tom Blatchford (Brother) os be 2 20ent Washingon Typo 1 Se 319 fom bolt Hope you like it with father stick it old: Chap. ‘ays wl Cancted: Siring Duplex (1) Write soom Perc NOME, ALASKA JFEH22 /9AM) 1906‘A Real Photo undivided back Post Card of Sluicing on Sunset Creek, taken at Midnight, July A Real Photo undivided back Post Card of Three Friends Mining Co's Dredg taldressed 10 Mr WT Blatchford (Father) Addressed to: Mrs. Blatchford (Mother) River, Alaska Todi ands pubis by HL Dabbs, Photographie Supls lors, Nome, Alas Both ards have postge paid by a 2cent Washington SG 4260 /Se.# 319 fom booklet, stays wink (Cancelled: Sting Duplex () NOME, ALASKA/SED 17/3 PMY 1906 Although no message or signalure, the handwriting 15 identified as that of Will, the oldest of the brothers and the| lwriter ofthe first post Card shown on sheet No. 1No caption Three Real Photo publisher HB Dobts, divided back Post Cards pie Supply Stores, Nome, Alaska 10: Mrs Blatchford (Mother).Will & Percy have now been joined by their Brother Oliver Eskimo from East Cape arriving at Nome, Alaska Real Photo undivided back Post Card publisher 1.8 Dob, Photographic Supply Stores, ome, Alaska How wyour Post Card collection getting on, I suppose you hane quite w few now. Have you any like this! Loveto-all ov Pesage paid by a cent Washington Type SG 3260S. #319 ftom booklet says wii Cancelled: String Duplex (1) NOME, ALASKA /SEP 26/8 AM‘1905 ‘Norton Sound area Enlargement of Nome area showing Rivers & CrecksTwo Real Photo undivided back Post Cards (from Will) Publisher B-Dobhs, Photographic Supply Stores, Nome, asa, Reindeer Herd, Nome, Alaska Dear Mother - 1 am sending you w fine specimen of CIEE TIE IEE CEN EESEe Batic post aby 8 Willie 2cent Washingion Type I ‘SG 326e/ Se # 319 fom booklet says wink Cancelled: Siring Duplex (1) NOME, ALASKA SED 17/3 PM / 1906A Real Photo undivided back Post Card of publisher H.B.Dobbs, Photographic Supply Stores, Nome, Alaska A Real Photo undivided back Post Card of Approaching Storm at Nome, Alaska publisher 11.B. Dobbs, Photographic Supply Stores, Nome, Alaska Boll have postage pu by 2 2cent Washington Type SG 3260 /Se. #319 from booklet ways wink Both addressed to Mrs Blachford (Mother), Cancelled: Sng Duplex (1) Although no message, handwriting is that of Will NOME, ALASKA SEP 17/3 PM 1906 10There has now been a delay of almost 9 months Real Photo undivided back Post Cards since the last cards despatched photographer A.L-Bell Go UE a H Be fe ye P2OHD foros wed (Lm anton "Corwin" discharging freight on the ice Sm. From shore on Bering Sea. Nome, June 2nd - 1907 The first boat to- arrive invNome 5 miley out to- sea: Hope this wil add to your collection. Love Oliver Rats ‘Mouth of Snake River, Nome Both posta pid by a2cent Washinton Type 1 | Tell Mother I am writing to her iw afew dary. ‘8G 326 / Se. # 319 from booklet sways wim | Lovetoal. Oliver Caneel Sing Duplex (1) NOMI, ALASKA JUN 13/10 AM /1907A Real Photo divided back Post Card of S.S. Corwin Arrived June 1st 1907 ‘Old & Gray” pobsher nid (Dingers Dog Team) .1Bell Nome Alas [No message but recognised as Oliver handwriting Fieainen a neeireer the first boat to arrive ow ashore by dog team. Love l We 0 see? etre mm sprer Tee a g Duplex) NOME” ALASK< SUP 8 2M 1907 "Corwin" discharging freight on the ice Sm. From shore on Bering Sea, June 2nd 1907 te2 Real Photo divided back Post Cards photoapher AL Bell Bell & Co, Front Street. Looking West. Nome Alaska Postage paid by a 2cent Washington Type 1 ee ‘SG 324e/Se, #319 fom booklet ways. wink with love from Perc Cancelled: Sine Duplex (1) NOME, ALASKA JUN27 (2 PM / 1907 day onilone bev. Nome 9) A Stormy day on Nome beach. Nome Alaska Postage paid by »2cent Washington ype | ‘SG 3260/ Se, #319 fom booklet says wink (Cano: Siring Duplex (1) NOME, ALASKA SEP 18/2 PM 1907 ‘on back, but card isin Ofiver hand waiting BA Real Photo divided back Post Card of SUNRISE AT NOME ALASKA. ooblsher Dats Hope you will like this for] ) your collection. How are! you, I trust well. Amv | writing shortly Love OB {Oliver Washinton Type 186 3 rbot wk aye ng ARea Photo divided back Post Card of King's Island N: Nome, Alaska Pubic BD Supply Stores, Nome, Als |Should like a letter when you have time to write. Enclose Hilda's address, anvindebited one to her. Love Oliver a 14A real Photo divided back Post Card "What's written explains all" publisher unknown. Dear Rube, Thix tea picture of our works showing you how we save the gold: Lovetorall, Percy Postage paid by 2 eet Washington Type 1 SG 3260 / Se#319 rom booklet wink. says Cancelled String Flag NOME / ALASKA SEP29) 3PM 1908 The same photo was also sent ko Ces (Cecil), younger brother, with similar message. | A Real Photo divided back Post Card of: CREVASSE IN MUIR GLACIER, ALASKA FROM ABOVE Publisher: EDWARD H. MITCHELL, SAN FRANCISCO tle 1/20 (20 Cenimes) applied at VANCOUVER B>C> 12 NO 15/09 vith 20 620 postage due Poste unpaid ‘pplicdn UK Addressed to: ‘Mrs Blatchford (Mother) Hawe been looking forward to wine, gues yowhane also: Sorry unable to- write a letter this time; amwriting later, withfondlove OliverThe final card from the collection with Alaskan theme - Divided hack Post Card- FIRST AVENUE [Note The Alaskan Outfitters] THE PACIFIC NORTH WEST SERIE: Addressed to: Mrs Blatchford (Mother) Am ow my way to-jouv WAL, had a glorious trip, will write latefr] Love Oliver Postage paid by 2oem Washingn Ruby found ‘William Tucker Blatchford (Solicitor) m. y 6, 14.5.1848 171.1915 | b.1852. 13.11.1937 | |r | Sally (Sat) Hilda L. Thomas L. (Zom) 1882 Cecil (Ces) bea 1887 1885 d. 24.10.1968 Ruby (pinster) ‘Wiliam (Hitt) Oliver (OF) : ere ee 1890 d..28.2.1978 Perey (Pere) Herbert 6. 1884 m. 2d. (pre 1920) 2nd m . Nyeksik Ningealook ican inea.1920 £ Rirst Wife & som(s) died from epidemic in the camp Perey Jnr. b. 1921 (stil ving in Alaska, August 1994) Joel {Blatchford Family Grave, St. Andrews Parish Chureh, Stratton, Comwall Ruby and brother Cecil (Ces) are interred there too. | 4g