Preview up to 100 items from this collection below. Explore the early history of the Pike Place Market through letters, receipts, plans, rental agreements and other documents related to the market’s business.
Aerial photograph of Pike Place Market looking west
Aerial photograph of Pike Place Market facing west towards Pier 59. The viaduct and waterfront piers can be seen at the top of the photo.
Identifier: spl_sh_00009
View this itemButterfly, ca. 1921
Frank Asakichi Kunishige was born in Japan on June 5, 1878. He came to the United States via San Francisco in 1895. After graduating from the Illinois College of Photography, he opened a small photography studio in San Francisco. Kunishige moved to Seattle in 1917. In the same year, he married Gin Kunishige and began working in the studio of Edward S. Curtis where he became acquainted with Ella McBride who he worked for in later years. Kunishige was well known for his use of Pictorialism, a popular painterly style of photography. He developed his photographs on "textura tissue," a paper of his own creation, which allowed him to produce almost dreamlike prints. His work was featured nationally and internationally in exhibitions and publications such as Photo-Era and Seattle's Town Crier. In 1924, Kunishige became one of the founding members of the Seattle Camera Club, a group of local photographers including Kyo Koike, Yukio Morinaga, Iwao Matsushita and Fred Y. Ogasawara who gathered to share techniques and ideas, as well as their deep love of the medium. Although the group was initially solely Japanese, they soon welcomed more members including Ella McBride, their first female member. When World War II struck and the country's Japanese internment policy was put in place, Kunishige and his wife were forced to leave Seattle for Idaho where they were interned at the Minidoka camp. After their release, Kunishige spent two years working at a photography studio in Twin Falls, Idaho but eventually returned to Seattle due to his poor health. Frank Kunishige passed away on April 9, 1960.
Identifier: spl_art_367924_23
Date: 1921
View this itemCherry flower, ca. 1921
Frank Asakichi Kunishige was born in Japan on June 5, 1878. He came to the United States via San Francisco in 1895. After graduating from the Illinois College of Photography, he opened a small photography studio in San Francisco. Kunishige moved to Seattle in 1917. In the same year, he married Gin Kunishige and began working in the studio of Edward S. Curtis where he became acquainted with Ella McBride who he worked for in later years. Kunishige was well known for his use of Pictorialism, a popular painterly style of photography. He developed his photographs on "textura tissue," a paper of his own creation, which allowed him to produce almost dreamlike prints. His work was featured nationally and internationally in exhibitions and publications such as Photo-Era and Seattle's Town Crier. In 1924, Kunishige became one of the founding members of the Seattle Camera Club, a group of local photographers including Kyo Koike, Yukio Morinaga, Iwao Matsushita and Fred Y. Ogasawara who gathered to share techniques and ideas, as well as their deep love of the medium. Although the group was initially solely Japanese, they soon welcomed more members including Ella McBride, their first female member. When World War II struck and the country's Japanese internment policy was put in place, Kunishige and his wife were forced to leave Seattle for Idaho where they were interned at the Minidoka camp. After their release, Kunishige spent two years working at a photography studio in Twin Falls, Idaho but eventually returned to Seattle due to his poor health. Frank Kunishige passed away on April 9, 1960.
Identifier: spl_art_367924_56
Date: 1921
View this itemLetter from Arthur Goodwin to William Crowley introducing Grant Stevens, November 9, 1927
In his letter, Arthur Goodwin introduces Grant Stevens, Market Master of Pike Place Market to William Crowley. He mentions Stevens is on a leave of absence from Seattle and speaks to his skills as Market Master should Crowley have a position open in one of his markets.
Identifier: spl_sh_00039
Date: 1927-11-09
View this itemLetter from Arthur Goodwin to Rafaele Boffa regarding sale of local spinach, February 26, 1927
In his letter, Goodwin notifies Boffa that it has been brought to his attention that Boffa is selling California spinach when local spinach is now readily available for sale at Pike Place Market. He asks Boffa to dispose of the spinach not grown locally and notes 'We shall be compelled to confiscate any spinach that is offered for sale at your stall next Monday.'
Identifier: spl_sh_00069
Date: 1927-02-26
View this itemInvitation from the Hawaii Commission of the Department of the Interior to the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition to an event at the Washington State Building, August 26, 1909
Printed invitation card to the event to be held at 8:30. Dancing is noted as part of the event.
Identifier: mohai_ayp_2006.3.46.14
Date: 1909-08-26
View this itemLetter from Arthur Goodwin to Charles H. Heighton requesting legal advice regarding the Market Syndicate, January 22, 1927
Letter from Arthur Goodwin to Charles H. Heighton, a lawyer at Heighton & Percy requesting legal advice regarding the Market Syndicate and it's co-partnership with the Cowpath Creamery.
Identifier: spl_sh_00096
Date: 1927-01-22
View this itemLetter from G.W. Roberge to the Public Market & Department Store Co. regarding a sagging floor in the Economy Market, January 14, 1927
Letter from G.W. Roberge, the Superintendent of Buildings for the City of Seattle Department of Public Works informing the Public Market & Department Store Co. that there is a portion of flooring in the Economy Market which appears to be sagging and needs to be fixed.
Identifier: spl_sh_00047
Date: 1927-01-14
View this itemGirl with Ball
Frank Asakichi Kunishige was born in Japan on June 5, 1878. He came to the United States via San Francisco in 1895. After graduating from the Illinois College of Photography, he opened a small photography studio in San Francisco. Kunishige moved to Seattle in 1917. In the same year, he married Gin Kunishige and began working in the studio of Edward S. Curtis where he became acquainted with Ella McBride who he worked for in later years. Kunishige was well known for his use of Pictorialism, a popular painterly style of photography. He developed his photographs on "textura tissue," a paper of his own creation, which allowed him to produce almost dreamlike prints. His work was featured nationally and internationally in exhibitions and publications such as Photo-Era and Seattle's Town Crier. In 1924, Kunishige became one of the founding members of the Seattle Camera Club, a group of local photographers including Kyo Koike, Yukio Morinaga, Iwao Matsushita and Fred Y. Ogasawara who gathered to share techniques and ideas, as well as their deep love of the medium. Although the group was initially solely Japanese, they soon welcomed more members including Ella McBride, their first female member. When World War II struck and the country's Japanese internment policy was put in place, Kunishige and his wife were forced to leave Seattle for Idaho where they were interned at the Minidoka camp. After their release, Kunishige spent two years working at a photography studio in Twin Falls, Idaho but eventually returned to Seattle due to his poor health. Frank Kunishige passed away on April 9, 1960.
Identifier: spl_art_367924_27
View this itemInvitation from the Seattle Chamber of Commerce to a reception for Baron Shibusawa and the honorary commercial commissioners from Japan at the Washington State Building, September 4, 1909
Printed invitation particularly requesting the presence of ladies to the reception to be held from 8:30 until 10:00.
Identifier: mohai_ayp_2006.3.46.10
Date: 1909-09-04
View this item