Shopping entered my art making through my interest in history. As somebody who spent 5 years in university engaged with historiography - I have come to understand that historical events were sedimenting (mostly) as kitsch in antiquarian shops, flee markets, and today, massively on various internet trading platforms. For years I have been using things I purchased over time. (see more : shopping) I also sometimes direct my artistic research right on the net or on auction houses. Here is a special series of photographs I came across on ebay: read the sellers descripition of the items. The original photographs and the related ebay paper works are combined for individual works with the title EBAY ETHNOGRAPHY, Photographs of the Philippines 1905, not exceeding $30 USD.
IN THE PAST MONTH, I WAS GIVEN A LARGE COLLECTION OF ITEMS BELONGING TO
THE ESTEEMED PARDO DE TAVERA FAMILY DESCENDANTS LIVING IN THE USA. I
HAVE SOLD MANY OF THE INCIDENTAL ITEMS, SUCH AS COINS AND SUCH,
ALREADY. WE ALSO SOLD 2 IMPORTANT FAMILY PORTRAITS. NOW, WE GET TO
THE THIRD PART OF THE COLLECTION: FOTOS - PHOTOS. PLEASE BRUSH UP ON
YOUR HISTORY OF THIS FINE ISLAND NATION BEFORE YOU PLACE A BID IN ORDER
TO PUT THE SCOPE AND IMPORTANCE OF THESE ITEMS IN PROPER CONTEXT.
THIS PARTICULAR AUCTION IS FOR A TRULY FANTASTIC CIRCA 1905ish
ABSOLUTELY ORIGINAL AND AUTHENTIC PHOTO OF NATIVE BAGOBO MEN
PLAYING STRINGED INSTRUMENTS IN MINDANAO.
THIS IS MY PERSONAL FAVORITE OF THE ENTIRE COLLECTION OF VINTAGE
FILIPINO PHOTOS.
THE 7 X 5" PHOTO IS IN PRETTY GOOD CONDITION WITH MINOR HANDLING WEAR.
IT'S A PRICELESS CULTURAL TREASURES FOR ANYONE INTERESTED IN FILIPINO
HERITAGE AND/OR AMERICAN HISTORY. PLEASE BID ACCORDINGLY. SOMEONE IS
GOING TO ACQUIRE A WONDERFUL FIND HERE!
THANKS AND GOOD LUCK! SHIPPING INCLUDES A SMALL SURCHARGE TO COVER
COST OF STIFF PHOTO MAILING ENVELOPES.
I WILL COMBINE SHIPPING FOR MULTIPLE PURCHASES.
A BIT ABOUT PROVENANCE...ALL OF THE PHILIPPINE PHOTOS WE ARE OFFERING
WERE PASSED ALONG IN THE PARDO DE TAVERA FAMILY. THE PHOTOS WERE
TAKEN BY US MILITARY OR OUTSOURCED FILIPINO PHOTOGRAPHERS FOR THE US
WOW! 1905 PHOTO INDIGENOUS BAGOBO PHILIPPINES MUSICIANS | eBay 4/19/11 6:56 PM
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190521784839&si=D7FSnpNW4aSIzwlRMRxkh1NdFLg%3D&print=all&category=14279 Page 3 of 5
BUREAU OF INSULAR AFFAIRS. THIS WAS A US GOVERNMENT AGENCY THAT
OVERSAW THE AFFAIRS OF US COLONIES AND TERRITORIES. THESE PHOTOS
WERE MOST LIKELY MEANT FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS PURPOSES TO INCITE US
POPULAR SUPPORT OF THE "CAUSE" OF COLONIZATION. MANY LIBERAL AND
PROGRESSIVE THINKERS OF THE DAY (LIKE MARK TWAIN) WERE STAUNCH ANTIIMPERIALISTS.
THE POLICY OF COLONIALISM WAS VERY VERY CONTROVERSIAL IN
IT'S DAY, BUT BECAUSE WE WERE COMING OFF A MAJOR WAR (THE SPANISHAMERICA
WAR), MOST PEOPLE WERE IN A PATRIOTIC STATE OF MIND THAT
JUSTIFIED SUCH POLICIES. INTERESTING HOW HISTORY TENDS TO REPEAT
ITSELF...SO, ALL THAT BEING SAID, FAMILY ACCOUNTS TELL THAT JOAQUIN PARDO
DE TAVERA, WHO WAS A SENIOR OFFICIAL WITH THE PHILIPPINE JUSTICE DEPT.,
WAS GIVEN THESE PHOTOS BY OUTGOING US OFFICIALS. LIKE MANY OF HIS
FAMILY HEIRLOOMS, HE SAVED SUCH MATERIALS FROM THE JAPANESE DURING
WWII BY PLACING THEM IN SAFE HOUSES. I WOULD SPECULATE THAT THESE
PHOTOS WERE AMONG THE MANY RESCUED MATERIALS.
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Additionally, here is an email I received about the Philippine photos I have on Ebay...Thought
I'd just add this to my description, as it's really interesting...
"Okay, you have some neat photos here! They are not one-of-a-kind, but I think you
will appreciate these further when I explain their origin. When the US government
assumed power in the Philippines, a fellow named Dean C. Worcester was named the
Secretary of the Interior (I think around 1905 or so - You may need to check the date).
His job was basically to oversee internal affairs in the country and to learn and report
on the tribes, geology, geography, topography, and other aspects of the Philippines
Islands. There was probably some mandate to investigate natural resources as well.
That always seems to be part of the agenda! Interestingly, Worcester was a zoologist
by training, but apparently had a great deal of knowledge in the field of human
anthropology. He oversaw a program to have field representatives study and
photograph the various tribes in great detail. hundreds of photos were taken, and
some of the field workers spent considerable time living amongst the people.
At that time, the Philippines in part was still a pretty rough place to be; meaning, some
of these tribes were still rather violent and warrior-like. Some of those people wanted
us (the Americans) to get the heck out. I mean that with no disrespect...Those are
merely the facts. All this being said, your photos are part of that series of photos that
were taken under Worcester's tenure as the Interior Secretary.
At the time, some felt these images to be rather shocking, but they show what I feel is
an honest portrayal of the various tribes customs, clothes, and mannerisms. If Mr.
Pardo de Tavera had them, they were probably a from a complete set that belonged to
some Filipino government agency at one time. Periodically, agencies just got rid of
stuff, even important archival material. Let's just say that keeping records and proper
storage of photos was not par for the course in those days. I suspect he saved them
for the sake of cultural preservation.
From what I know, a series of these photos was sent to the Bureau of Insular Affairs in
DC. I would gather a few other such sets were sent to other agencies both in the US
and the Philippines. I think you have the remnants of a set or possibly a complete set
of that 1st run, so to speak. I hate to see this sold off, but you are at least portraying
them with due respect, and I like your feedback. BTW, I think the National Archives
probably can issue new prints, if they still have them, but I'm not sure. Someone,
WOW! 1905 PHOTO INDIGENOUS BAGOBO PHILIPPINES MUSICIANS | eBay 4/19/11 6:56 PM
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190521784839&si=D7FSnpNW4aSIzwlRMRxkh1NdFLg%3D&print=all&category=14279 Page 4 of 5
especially a historian or anthropologist should really want some of these old photos. I
wish you luck! "
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EBAY ETHNOGRAPHY, Photographs of the Philippines 1905, not exceeding $30 USD /EXECTPION : 1905 PHOTO PHILIPPINES NORMAL SCHOOL CARPENTERS CLASS
photograph 5 x 7 inches plus ink on 5 papers 11 x 8.5 inches, 1905 / 2011
(alex)
EBAY ETHNOGRAPHY, Photographs of the Philippines 1905, not exceeding $30 USD /EXECTPION : 1905 PHOTO PHILIPPINES TAGALOG NATIVES MAKING FISH NET
photograph 5 x 7 inches plus ink on 5 papers 11 x 8.5 inches, 1905 / 2011
click image to see hi res.
EBAY ETHNOGRAPHY, Photographs of the Philippines 1905, not exceeding $30 USD / EXCEPTION: GREAT! 1905 PHOTO ABRA PHILIPPINES TINGGUIAN MUSICIAN
photograph 5 x 7 inches plus ink on 5 papers 11 x 8.5 inches, 1905 / 2011
click image to see hi res.
EBAY ETHNOGRAPHY, Photographs of the Philippines 1905, not exceeding $30 USD /EXECTPION : 1905 PHOTO PHILIPPINES INDIGENOUS IFUGAO CHILDREN
photograph 5 x 7 inches plus ink on 5 papers 11 x 8.5 inches, 1905 / 2011
click image for hi res
EBAY ETHNOGRAPHY, Photographs of the Philippines 1905, not exceeding $30 USD: 1905 PHOTO PHILIPPINES UNFINISHED PASS IN BENGUET ROAD
photograph 5 x 7 inches plus ink on 5 papers 11 x 8.5 inches, 1905 / 2011
alex
click image to see hi res.
EBAY ETHNOGRAPHY, Photographs of the Philippines 1905, not exceeding $30 USD /EXECTPION : 1905 PHOTO PHILIPPINES TAGALOG NATIVES MAKING FISH NET
photograph 5 x 7 inches plus ink on 5 papers 11 x 8.5 inches, 1905 / 2011
click image to see hi res.
EBAY ETHNOGRAPHY, Photographs of the Philippines 1905, not exceeding $30 USD /EXECTPION : 1905 PHOTO PHILIPPINES MANILA STREET SCENE W/ PEDDLER
photograph 5 x 7 inches plus ink on 5 papers 11 x 8.5 inches, 1905 / 2011
cllick image for hi res.
EBAY ETHNOGRAPHY, Photographs of the Philippines 1905, not exceeding $30 USD: 1905 PHOTO PHILIPPINES BULL CARAVAN ALONG BENGUET ROAD
photograph 5 x 7 inches plus ink on 5 papers 11 x 8.5 inches, 1905 / 2011
EBAY ETHNOGRAPHY, Photographs of the Philippines 1905, not exceeding $30 USD: 1905 PHOTO PHILIPPINES RESTAURANT IN MANILA W/ FOOD
photograph 5 x 7 inches plus ink on 5 papers 11 x 8.5 inches, 1905 / 2011
----
there are 3 more papers - one stamped
EBAY ETHNOGRAPHY, Photographs of the Philippines 1905, not exceeding $30 USD: 1905 PHOTO PHILIPPINES NORMAL SCHOOL
CARPENTERS CLASS
photograph 5 x 7 inches plus ink on 5 papers 11 x 8.5 inches, 1905 / 2011
there are 3 more papers - one stamped
EBAY ETHNOGRAPHY, Photographs of the Philippines 1905, not exceeding $30 USD: 1905 PHOTO PHILIPPINES OLDER MILK
PEDDLERS IN MANILA
photograph 5 x 7 inches plus ink on 5 papers 11 x 8.5 inches, 1905 / 2011
reverse page
there are 3 more papers - one stamped
EBAY ETHNOGRAPHY, Photographs of the Philippines 1905, not exceeding $30 USD : RARE 1905 PHOTO PHILIPPINES INDIGENOUS TREE
vintage photographs, print on paper, 1905 / 2011
there are 3 more papers - one stamped
EBAY ETHNOGRAPHY, Photographs of the Philippines 1905, not exceeding $30 USD : 1905 PHOTO PHILIPPINES OF A IGOROT CONSTABULARY OFFICER
vintage photographs, print on paper, 1905 / 2011
there are 3 more papers - one stamped
EXCEPTIONS - BEYOND 30 $
I realized that htere was a category of works that exceede my 30 $ bids. here are some I couldn't let go.
EBAY ETHNOGRAPHY, Photographs of the Philippines 1905, not exceeding $30 USD /EXECTPION : 1905 PHOTO PHILIPPINES IFUGAO COUPLE DOING RITUAL DANCE
vintage photographs, print on paper, 1905 / 2011
there are 3 more papers - one stamped
EBAY ETHNOGRAPHY, Photographs of the Philippines 1905, not exceeding $30 USD /EXECTPION : WOW! 1905 PHOTO INDIGENOUS BAGOBO PHILIPPINES MUSICIANS
there are 4 more papers - one stamped
these is only a selection of works -- more to be posted soon
ENVELOP IN WHCIH THE PHOTOS WERE DELIVERED TO THEE PERSON WHO SOLD IT ON LINE
more to be posted soon