Caravan with ivory offered for sale in the French Congo (now Republic of the Congo). [On tusk is hand-written: "If we had this piece, we would benefit financially"]. Photographed by Robert Visser, c. 1882-1894. Publisher unknown, ca. 1900. EEPA Postcard Collection, CF16-8.

SMITHSONIAN ARCHIVES FAIR 2011
Friday, October 14
10:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m.
S. Dillon Ripley Center (National Mall), concourse level
Free and open to the public!

Organized by the Smithsonian Institution Archives and Special Collections Council (SIASC), the Archives Fair will highlight vast collections of archival and historical records at the Smithsonian. Staff from over a dozen different archival units will be on hand to showcase some of the Smithsonian's archival treasures as well as current projects and programs. A lecture series throughout the day will spotlight the infinite number of stories waiting to be told through the Smithsonian's archives. An "Ask the Smithsonian" program will offer timed slots for attendees to consult with experts including archivists, conservators, and librarians on how to better care for their own archives-worthy items (preregistration at www.aaa.si.edu/archivesmonth required).

Eliot Elisofon (1911-1973)

Eliot Elisofon with camera in Bayaka village, Congo (Democratic Republic), 1951.

Kuba Nyim (ruler) Mbop Mabiintsh ma-Kyeen, Mushenge, Congo (Democratic Republic), 1947.

Featured presentation: Amy Staples, Senior Archivist, NMAfA
The Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives: Creating Access to a National Treasure.

Amy Staples, Senior Archivist, Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art will present an illustrated overview of recent cataloguing and digitization projects funded by the Smithsonian Institution CIS/IRM Pool grants (2006 - 2011). These include the Eliot Elisofon negative project and Historic postcards from Africa project.

The Elisofon project involved the cataloguing and digitization of over 13,000 negatives that are now accessible to the general public on the Smithsonian Research and Information System (SIRIS). Black-and-white photographs by Eliot Elisofon, Life magazine photographer and a major donor to the National Museum of African Art, are featured in this presentation. Elisofon traveled in Africa from 1947 - 1972 and focused on many aspects of African life and culture, including architecture, artists, masquerades, natural landscapes, political leaders and rituals.

Algiers - The Randon place and Marengo street, c. 1905. [Hand-colored postcard, Algeria]. Collection E.S., series 1221. EEPA Postcard Collection, AE-16-01.

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