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769 results for: Smith, Albert J., Sr.

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Image of Joe Smith with his gun collection, circa 1948
Photograph

Joe Smith with his gun collection, circa 1948

In addition to his Seattle jazz club images, photographer Al Smith took many photos of family and friends in the city's Black community. On this occasion he photographed his close friend Joe Smith showing off his collection of hunting firearms.
ID Number:2014.49.011.024.0040
Date:Circa 1948
Image of Party-goers posing together by a birthday cake, Seattle, circa 1945
Photograph

Party-goers posing together by a birthday cake, Seattle, circa 1945

A postal carrier during the week, Albert Joseph "Al" Smith, Sr. (1916-2008) spent weekends taking pictures for his photography business "On The Spot." His photographs tell the stories of everyday people who shaped the dynamic character of Seattle, offering rare views into the city’s African American community, the Central Area neighborhood, and the local jazz scene. In this image, ten…
ID Number:2014.49.011.026.0042
Date:Circa 1945
Image of Boxer Eddie Cotton, Seattle, April 29, 1947
Photograph

Boxer Eddie Cotton, Seattle, April 29, 1947

In his 20 years in the ring as a light-heavyweight (1947-1967), Seattle boxer Eddie Cotton (1926-1990) had 83 bouts, winning 34 by knockout and 24 by decision. Cotton also worked for the Boeing Aircraft Company as a tool and die maker, and ran a restaurant on 15th Avenue and E. Madison Street in Seattle until the mid-1980s.This photo shows a…
ID Number:2014.49.011.035.0059
Date:1947
Image of Boxer training on speed bag, Seattle, September 24, 1947
Photograph

Boxer training on speed bag, Seattle, September 24, 1947

In addition to his jazz club images, Seattle-born photographer Al Smith took many photos of family, friends and other local people in their everyday lives. In this photo Smith captures a young boxer training on a speed bag at an unidentified gym in Seattle.
ID Number:2014.49.011.037.0097
Date:1947
Image of Trainer and boxer in gym with heavy bag, Seattle, circa 1952
Photograph

Trainer and boxer in gym with heavy bag, Seattle, circa 1952

A postal carrier during the week, Albert Joseph "Al" Smith, Sr. (1916-2008) spent weekends taking pictures for his photography business "On The Spot." His photographs tell the stories of everyday people who shaped the dynamic character of Seattle, offering rare views into the city’s African American community, the Central Area neighborhood, and the local jazz scene. In this image taken…
ID Number:2014.49.011.039.0091
Date:Circa 1952
Image of Buford Ransom holding training gear at boxing gym, September 24, 1947
Photograph

Buford Ransom holding training gear at boxing gym, September 24, 1947

Buford Silas Ransom (1927-2013) was a welterweight boxer from Seattle. Nicknamed "Schoolboy Ransom," he started boxing while a student at Broadway High School, and had his first amateur match in 1946, at 17 years old. Ransom was coached by professional fighter and trainer Frisco McGale, and won all 20 of his amateur bouts under McGale, 19 of them by knockout.…
ID Number:2014.49.011.041.0074
Date:1947
Image of Bride and groom on steps of Immaculate Conception Church, Seattle, circa 1947
Photograph

Bride and groom on steps of Immaculate Conception Church, Seattle, circa 1947

Seattle photographer Al Smith took thousands of photographs of family, friends, and other local people in their everyday lives, particularly in the Central Area neighborhood. Here, Smith photographs a bride, groom, and bridesmaid walking down the steps of Immaculate Conception Church after their wedding. Immaculate Conception Church is still active as of 2023, and has been at the same location…
ID Number:2014.49.011.047.181
Date:Circa 1947
Image of Al, Izzy, and Butch Smith at home, Seattle, circa 1948
Photograph

Al, Izzy, and Butch Smith at home, Seattle, circa 1948

Albert Joseph "Al" Smith, Sr. (1916-2008), was a photographer and prolific chronicler of life in Seattle's Central Area during the mid- to late-20th century. From a hobby begun as a preteen, Mr. Smith began his "weekend job" and photography business, On the Spot, in the 1940s, capturing life in the city’s Black community, the Central Area neighborhood, and the local…
ID Number:2014.49.11.12.31
Date:Circa 1948
Image of Neighborhood houses, Seattle, circa 1955
Photograph

Neighborhood houses, Seattle, circa 1955

Al Smith took many photographs in Seattle’s Central District, located between the downtown business district and out along East Madison. Housing discrimination and restrictive real estate covenants meant that this was one of the few areas where African Americans could live. Much of the neighborhood was made up of small older brick or frame houses. Here, two Central Area residents…
ID Number:2014.49.011.019.0090
Date:Circa 1955
Image of Black servicemen and their dates at a dance, Seattle, circa 1944
Photograph

Black servicemen and their dates at a dance, Seattle, circa 1944

The US military was racially segregated throughout World War II and most home front services were also segregated. In Seattle, recreational events for Black servicemen and women, usually hosted by the U.S.O. or the Seattle Civilian War Commission, were often held separately from those for whites. In this photo, a large group of Black servicemen in uniform and their dates…
ID Number:2014.49.013.004.0033
Date:Circa 1944
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