| Title |
J.S. Smithson collection on Samoa |
| Reference |
GBR/0115/Y309993C(LS) |
| Creator |
Smithson, John Snowden, fl 1903 |
| Covering Dates |
1903 |
| Extent and Medium |
128 images in 8 boxes + 1file; lantern slide; Apart from one cracked slide, they are in good condition. |
| Repository |
Cambridge University Library: Royal Commonwealth Society Library |
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| Content and context |
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A collection of glass lantern slides, 82 x 82 mm, mostly of Samoa, taken by John Snowden Smithson. Smithson visited Samoa on holiday and presumably the remaining slides (5 of them unidentified, 13 of Yosemite National Park and 10 of Ceylon), together with a map, date from the same period. None of the slides are captioned but the first 91 slides have numbers on their left hand corners, these run from 20/10 to 30/9, with a few gaps, and presumably represent the sequence in which the photographs were taken.
There is an accompanying typescript (kept with the slides) which was presumably intended as notes for a talk. The typescript consists of a series of numbered notes with slide numbers pencilled beside them. These notes have formed the basis for the captions and are included in the descriptions of the relevant slides.
However, the typescript does not always give precise details, sometimes only indicating the order the slides would be shown. Numbers 84-99, showing Samoa but not numbered by Smithson, appear to be rejects from the lecture, perhaps because some are too similar to pictures which are included.
Presented by Smithson's daughter-in-law, Mrs Ursula Mace, in 1983.
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Access and Use
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Please cite as Cambridge University Library: Royal Commonwealth Society Library, J.S. Smithson collection on Samoa, Y309993C(LS) |
| Further information |
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Indexed
This collection level description was entered by KS using information from the original typescript catalogue.
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| Index Terms |
| Asia |
| California |
| Mariposa |
| North and Central America |
| Oceania |
| Samoa |
| Samoa Islands |
| Sri Lanka |
| United States |
| Yosemite National Park |
| Smithson, John Snowden (fl 1903) |
| RCS/Y309993C(LS) contains: |
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1
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[View across Pago Pago harbour towards Mount Pioa]. Smithson has pencilled '1 22/1' at the top of the accompanying typescript. |
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2
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[Another view across Pago Pago harbour]. Smithson has pencilled '2 21/12' at the top of the accompanying typescript. |
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3
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[Mail steamer at anchor in Pago Pago harbour, surrounded by small boats and canoes]. Smithson has pencilled '20/10' next to the following notes: '3. As soon as our steamer is anchored it is surrounded with boats and canoes of all shapes and sizes containing natives anxious to sell all manner of curios etc. The scene is one which is almost as bewildering to the eye as to the ear, for dark skinned natives in the most varied costumes of varying colour chatter with one another endeavouring to drive bargains with the passengers English money or rather English prices being the rule - method of delivery - coin in'. |
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4
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[Mail steamer at anchor in Pago Pago harbour, surrounded by small boats and canoes]. Smithson has pencilled '20/11' next to '4. Handkerchief -'. |
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5
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[Mail steamer at anchor in Pago Pago harbour, surrounded by small boats and canoes]. Smithson has pencilled '30/7' next to '5. Umbrellas - universal -'. |
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6
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[Mail steamer at anchor in Pago Pago harbour, surrounded by small boats and canoes]. Smithson has pencilled '20/12' next to '6. Canoes'. |
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7
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[One-man outrigger canoe]. Smithson has pencilled '25/10' next to the following notes: '7. Near view of canoe - how made - Katermerang [sic] also seen at Colombo tho' larger. I had to leave the mail steamer as that only called at Pago-Pago and then went on to New Zealand. On landing we soon found a native who could talk a little English and he volunteered to show us the chief's house. Samoans are supposed to be the finest of the Polynesian races, they are big of stature, well made and of a prepossessing appearance. The colour of their skin varies but is not nearly so dark as some of the other groups of islands, in some cases do not appear much darker than an ordinary Spaniard. Type of face also varies'. |
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8
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[Samoan chief's house]. Smithson has pencilled '21/7' next to the following notes: '8. Chief's house, description of house - some round - some oval, posts round centre post, venetian or samoan blinds - made from leaves of cocoanut palm - pebbles on floor - mats - notice hills behind - stature of natives, dress'. |
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9
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[Samoan chief's house]. Smithson has pencilled '21/8 9' between the typewritten notes labelled '8.' and '10.'. |
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10
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[Thatching in progress]. Smithson has pencilled '27/3' next to '10. Thatching made species of sugar cane'. |
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11
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[Large circular house]. Smithson has pencilled '26/12' next to the following notes: '11. Substantial house. At the Chief's house we were entertained with song and dance'. |
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12
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[Children outside house]. Smithson has pencilled '21/6' next to the following notes: '12. Number of children. Volcanic rock. Afterwards tree tattooing - waist to knee not all done at once - sign of manhood - those not tattoed considered of no account'. |
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13
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[Harbour-side pathway]. Smithson has pencilled '22/3' next to '13. Path round harbour on either side of which some yards from the road are dotted the native dwellings'. |
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14
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[Thatched house (fale) and palm trees]. Smithson has pencilled '22/2' next to the following notes: '14. Tho' apparently far away from civilization yet reminded unexpectedly by sewing machine. Usual mode of getting to Apia by Kawwan 40 tons only - leaving at 5 p.m. but as it there was a rumour that U.S.N.Z. boat to call Kawwan was to leave at 3. However Haurots arrived 1.30 - Kawwan 5. Weird scene on deck native sleeping'. |
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15
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[View of Apia, Upolu Island]. Smithson has pencilled '22/6' next to the following notes: '15. Apia early morning - cocoa and palms coming down to the water's edge behind which long line of mountains covered with vegetation - misty - Upolu of which Apia is the capital is an island of about 45 miles x 14 and contains 580 square miles - the town consists of one long road running down the beach containing various stores and also government offices, no native houses are on the street but are to be found close behind'. |
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16
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[View of Apia, Upolu Island]. Smithson has pencilled '24/6' next to the following notes: '16. Apia can hardly be called a harbour for when the wind blows in a certain direction it is more dangerous to be inside the reef than outside - In March 1889 it was visited by a fearful hurricane in which 3 American and 3 German men of war were wrecked and about 150 lives lost, the British boat Calliope being the onlt [sic] that escaped - To this day the hulk of the German Adler lies on the shore - '. |
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17
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[View of Apia from the Tivoli Hotel, Rosabel]. Smithson has pencilled '25/5' next to the following notes: '17. View of Apia from Rosabel - Tivoli hotel - tower, church no windows singing melodious. Vaea mountain. R.L.S. buried at top [Robert Louis Stevenson's tomb is situtated on the summit of Mt. Vaea]'. |
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18
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[View over Apia harbour from Tivoli Hotel balcony]. Smithson has pencilled '29/11' next to '18. From Balcony of Hotel landing stage, no pier or wharf for steamers as water is so shallow'. |
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19
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[Apia from the harbour]. Smithson has pencilled '28/9' next to '19. Lighthouse painted with red light at night one higher up behind, mariners to get both in line to avoid reef'. |
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20
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[Countryside near Apia viewed from tower]. Smithson has pencilled '28/11' next to '20. View from tower'. |
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21
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[View from road to Vailima on Upolu]. Smithson has pencilled '28/12' next to '21. View from road to Vailima'. |
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22
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[Village street]. Smithson has pencilled '24/10' next to the following notes: '22. Natives are a fine race men being tall and well proportioned, women whilst young being distinctly good looking - costume of men consists of a waist belt or lava lava of coloured print reaching to the knees and in some cases a vest or singlet is worn as well; the women in addition to the lava lava s [sic] short or long bodice with or without sleeves generally the latter they are very fond of bright colours, pale pink with purple spots'. |
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23
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[Group of Samoans by roadside]. Smithson has pencilled '21/11 ?' next to the following notes: '23. Group of natives by roadside - cigarettes'. |
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24
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[Villagers by a hut on Savai'i island]. Smithson has pencilled '28/6' next to the following notes: '24. group of natives P in Savaii - flowers'. |
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25
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[Woman with umbrella]. Smithson has pencilled '22/11' next to the following notes: '25. Diamond costume'. |
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26
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[Samoan soldiers]. Smithson has pencilled '24/5' next to the following notes: '26. Costume of soldiers. Various styles of dressing the hair, some women cut it short like men, very difficult to distinguish - flower behind ear -or'. |
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27
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[Samoan women, showing piled-up hair style]. Smithson has pencilled '22/5' next to the following notes: '27. others dress it high on special occasions usually black but great idea of beauty is to get it a bronze colour; this colour obtained by lime - '. |
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28
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[Thatched hut under palm trees]. Smithson has pencilled '27/9' next to '28.'. |
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29
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[Woman cutting a man's hair]. Smithson has pencilled '27/10' next to '29.'. |
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30
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[Street scene, with men in their white Sunday clothes]. Smithson has pencilled '29/12' next to the following notes: '30. On Sunday the men affect white lava lava with white drill coats but wear no hats the women however wear long loose dresses with hats and shoes. They all make profession of christianity a good number however being catholics'. |
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31
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[Copra sheds]. Smithson has pencilled '25/11' next to the following notes: '31. Chief product of the islands is copra this is the white inside of the cocoa nut dried - islands were originally covered with bush and the cocoa nut palms planted. Seedlings - copra shed'. |
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32
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[Gathering coconuts]. Smithson has pencilled '29/6' next to '32. Gathering cocoa nuts'. |
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33
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[Thatched hut]. |
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34
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[Weighing copra on Savai'i]. Smithson has pencilled '27/11' next to '34. Visit to Savaii in trading schooner weighing copra'.
Glass cracked.. |
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35
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[Loading up a boat on the beach]. Smithson has pencilled '25/6' next to '35. Loading boat.'.
Glass cracked.. |
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36
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[On board a schooner]. Smithson has pencilled '28/7' next to '36. View on schooner - smell of copra'. |
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37
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[Family group]. Smithson has pencilled '26/3' next to the following notes: '37. Not free from labour troubles - strike 1/2 or 1 day settled by ? or native judge after long discussion. Copra not the only thing obtained from cocoa nut palm'. |
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38
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[Beating out coconut fibre for use in basket-making etc.]. Smithson has pencilled '26/10' next to '38. beat out fibre to afterwards plaited baskets'. |
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39
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[Woman plaiting coconut fibre]. Smithson has pencilled '26/11' next to '39. Plaiting fibre - pillow also mats, high dressing of hair'. |
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40
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[Basket-making]. Smithson has pencilled '26/8' next to the following notes: '40. Making baskets - fresh gathered leaves at back - white (?) hair - also for carrying water. Beside copra the last few years has seen the development of cocoa growing in fact one may now say there is a cocoa 'boom' soil is found very suitable and land has increased in price - nearly every one has a plantation - '. |
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41
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[Bush before clearing]. Smithson has pencilled '25/2' next to '41. Bush vefore clearing'. |
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42
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[Bush after clearing, with trees left to provide shade]. Smithson has pencilled '25/4' next to '42. Clearing with trees left for shade - ? apple or pawpaw - nursery - weeding'. |
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43
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[Cocoa tree]. Smithson has pencilled '29/7' next to '43. Cocoa tree'. |
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44
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[Cocoa tree]. Smithson has pencilled '29/8' next to '44. Cocoa tree'. |
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45
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[Timber house and lean-to]. Smithson has pencilled '29/10' next to the following notes: '45. House. Some coffee also pine apples - not the season when there. It is customary from time to time for one village to visit another especially if there is some object such as a wedding or a cricket match - this visit called a melanga meaning visit - '. |
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46
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[Landing from boats on palm-lined beach]. Smithson has pencilled '26/7' next to the following notes: ' 46. Arrival. Feasting is a sine qua now - visitors stay probably a week, immediately signs of preparation - canoes go out to the reef - sea slugs - great delicacy'. |
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47
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[Preparing food outside a fale]. Smithson has pencilled '27/12' next to the following notes: '47. Samoan oven - first fire and heat stones, when these are hot spread out food to be cooked place on with leaves over. No Banquet without pigs. Many pigs kept as pets. Led about with a string'. |
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48
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[Two women and small boy]. Smithson has pencilled '25/7' next to '48. Wild pigeons are poentiful [sic] - excellent eating'. |
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49
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[Small boy holding plucked pigeon]. Smithson has pencilled '25/9' next to '49. Boy with pigeon'. |
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50
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[Fishing in Apia harbour]. Smithson has pencilled '24/11' next to '50. Fishing in harbour. Apia'. |
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51
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[Woman carrying breadfruit]. Smithson has pencilled '28/2' next to '51. Other articles of food are bread fruit, taro (a root), yams, bananas (generally fried)'. |
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52
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[Path through banana plantation]. Smithson has pencilled '29/9' next to '52. Path thro' bananas'. |
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53
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[Bananas growing]. Smithson has pencilled '22/12' next to '53. Bananas growing'. |
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54
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[Preparing kava, the Samoans' national drink]. Smithson has pencilled '28/5' next to the following notes: '54. The national drink is 'Kava' which is made from the roof of a sort of pepper tree - its making and drinking are attended with a deal of ceremony for the Samoans are a very ceremonious people. The root is first pounded with stones and then mixed with water in the Kava bowl. This is formed out of a piece of solid wood. The duty of kava making always devolves on the young girls of the household who must hold themselves in readiness for any visitor, should no girl in the house the first young girl obtainable is pressed into the service. Before being drunk it is strained; when ready a bowl made from a cocoa nut is handed to each guest in turn according to their rank. Disputes as to the order of precedence give rise to more quarrels than anything else. I was told that it was likely [sic] drinking soapy water but I was agreeably disappointed, it has a slight astringent taste and is decidedly quenching to the thirst - it is non intoxicating in the ordinary way, but an over indulgence produces temporary paralysis of the legs. Kava bowl is one of the family treasures, with kind of enamel. After their feasting they generally have a wird [sic] or native dance'. |
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55
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[Dancers seated at a gathering]. Smithson has pencilled '23/4' next to the following notes: '55. Cinematography - 5 Cameras. Sitting preparatory to dance commencing. Flowers, wreaths of leaves, anklets of twigs, Cocoa nut oil in plenty, Time kept by beating on roll of mats with a stick - singing as well'. |
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56
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[Swaying to the rhythm]. Smithson has pencilled '23/5' next to '56. First all sitting'. |
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57
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[On with the dance]. Smithson has pencilled '28/6' next to '57.'. |
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58
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[On with the dance]. Smithson has pencilled '23/7' next to the following notes: '58. Waist band of leaves dyed - oil again'. |
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59
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[On with the dance]. Smithson has pencilled '23/8' next to '59.'. |
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60
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[On with the dance]. Smithson has pencilled '23/10' next to '60.'. |
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61
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[On with the dance]. Smithson has pencilled '23/11' next to '61.'. |
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62
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[Dancers resting]. Smithson has pencilled '23/12' next to '62. Resting'. |
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63
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[Group of dancers]. Smithson has pencilled '24/2' next to '63. Group'. |
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64
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[Group of dancers]. Smithson has pencilled '24/3' next to '64. Group'. |
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65
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[A young dancer]. Smithson has pencilled '23/9' next to '65.'. |
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66
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[Chief's daughter, one of the dancers]. Smithson has pencilled '24/1' next to '66. Chief's daughter'. |
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67
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[Samoans bathing in a rock pool]. Smithson has pencilled '27/2' next to the following notes: '67. Samoans are a cleanly people, always bathing once and generally twice a day in fresh water either in one of the numerous rivers or in the fresh water pools by the sea shore - use a great quantity of soap'. |
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68
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[Papaloa or jumping rick (stream)]. Smithson has pencilled '29/5' next to '68. Papalaloa or jumping rick'. |
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69
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[Jumping into the water]. Smithson has pencilled '29/4' next to '69.'. |
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70
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[Jumping into the water]. Smithson has pencilled '29/3' next to '70.'. |
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71
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[The wooden 'bell' used to call people to church]. Smithson has pencilled '27/5' next to '71. Wooden bell - calling people to church'. |
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72
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[More usual sort of bells, carried by boy advertising an auction]. Smithson has pencilled '28/8' next to '72. Another bell'. |
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73
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[Mat tree]. Smithson has pencilled '27/6' next to '73. Mat tree'. |
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74
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[War catamaran in its shelter]. Smithson has pencilled '24/8' next to '74. War canoe - double'. |
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75
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[Road at Mulinu'u, Apia]. Smithson has pencilled '24/9' next to '75. Road at Mulinuu Vaea Mountain'. |
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76
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[Boys paddling on beach]. Smithson has pencilled '28/4' next to '76. Boys on shore'. |
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77
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[View on Savai'i]. Smithson has pencilled '26/4' next to '77. View in Savaii extinct volcanoe'. |
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78
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[View on Savai'i]. Smithson has pencilled '26/6' next to '78. View in Savaii extinct volcanoe'. |
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79
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[Passers-by on the road]. Smithson has pencilled '22/10' next to '79. Road scene'. |
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80
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[View from the main street in Apia]. Smithson has pencilled '30/2' next to '80. From main street in Apia'. |
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81
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[Samoan houses under palm trees]. Smithson has pencilled '22/8' next to '81.'. |
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82
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[Kawwan]. Smithson has pencilled '22/9' next to '82. Kawwan'. |
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83
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[Island steamer at quayside]. |
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84
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[A fale (Samoan house)]. |
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85
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[At the water's edge]. |
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86
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[Seated dancers]. |
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87
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[View from main street in Apia]. |
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88
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[View of Apia from the harbour]. |
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89
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[View of Apia from the harbour]. |
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90
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[View of Apia from the harbour]. |
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91
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[Island steamer at quayside]. |
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92
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[Boys in canoes]. |
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93
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[Unidentified, probably near Apia]. |
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94
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[Samoan chief's house]. |
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95
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[Steamer in harbour]. |
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96
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[Schooner in full sail]. |
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97
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[Steamer at quayside, seen from across harbour]. |
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98
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[Sheep coming ashore from steamer]. |
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99
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[Map of Samoa]. |
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100
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[Harbour scene]. Possibly Australia or New Zealand. |
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101
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[Harbour scene]. Possibly Sydney. |
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102
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[Coast with rocky cliffs]. Location unknown.
Sharp glass edges exposed.. |
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103
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[Cottages with rocky cliffs]. Location unknown. |
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104
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[Cliffs with caves]. Location unknown. |
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105
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[View across road]. |
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106
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[Coach passing through the archway cut through the Wawona Tree in Mariposa Grove]. |
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107
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[Giant sequoia tree with coach alongside]. |
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108
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[Coaches passing in the Mariposa Grove]. |
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109
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[Coach and four at the foot of a giant sequoia]. |
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110
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[Visitors to the park on horseback]. |
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111
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[Horses at rest]. |
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112
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[Waterfall at Yosemite Valley]. |
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113
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[View across valley]. |
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114
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[Haymaking]. |
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115
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[Bullock-drawn haywain]. |
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116
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[Bison with calves]. |
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117
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[Bison with calves]. |
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118
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[Colombo: the Grand Oriental Hotel is in the centre distance]. |
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119
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[Group of children]. |
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120
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[Street scene]. |
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121
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[Street scene]. |
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122
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[In Victoria Park, Colombo]. |
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123
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[European children in rickshaw]. |
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124
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[Street scene with donkey cart]. |
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125
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[Bullock cart]. |
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126
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[Street scene, Colombo (?)]. |
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127
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[Street water pump, Colombo]. |
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128
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[Oceanic Steamship Company's World Map]. |
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