Early 20th-century French Bulldog photograph collection, 1900-1915

Series — Multiple Containers

Identifier: AKF 100.5

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Collection of very early 20th century photographs offering early examples of French Bulldogs being bred and exhibited in the United States, as well as even more rare glimpses of American dog show culture at the time. Candids of an unidentified outdoor bench show and the 1910 French Bulldog Club of America specialty held at the Hotel Astor in New York City are present. In addition to Frenchies, an Airedale, Dalmatian, Collie, Spaniel, and Fox Terriers are pictured in the dog show images.

No people are identified, however a number of French Bulldogs from disparate breeders, owners, and kennels across the East and Midwest are: Normandy Bonheur, Kapawack Judy, Brackenside Lola, Brackenside Margot, Nellcote Blanco, Nellcote Gaminette Brackenside Charlotte, Maurice II, La Reine II, and Endcliffe Ripp D'Alfort (an import that features prominently in many Frenchie pedigrees). Several of these dogs were owned by pominent fanciers Robert and Catherine J. Macdonald of Brackenside Kennels.

An illegible check from 1873 is also present and may contain clues to the original creator of the photo album.

Dates

Majority of material found in 1900-1915

Access Restrictions

This material is open to research without restrictions.

Physical Description

From the Record Group: 26.2 Linear feet (in 24 boxes (21 flat boxes and 3 half-doc boxes))

From the Record Group: 30 Linear Feet (in 28 boxes and mixed collections storage)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Provenance

Materials were transferred from the AKC Museum of the Dog (St. Louis) in 2018 at behest of the Archivist.

Address label applied to original album lists Dorothy Everett of High Ridge, Missouri, however it appears that the photographs have been removed from a previous album, possibly assembled by someone else. Creator and donor remain unknown.

Processing Information

Materials were removed from original photo album, which was discarded for preservation purposes. Photographs have been numbered in the order in which they originally appeared.