Collection Items

  • Film, Video
    Esquimaux game of snap-the-whip
    Title from Edison films catalog, no. 135: Scene in the Esquimaux Village | Variant title from American Film Institute catalog: Scene in Esquimaux Village | Eskimo game of snap-the-whip
    "The film, photographed from a single camera position, shows a large tent of animal skins in front of which are two spectators watching two participants perform a game of skill using whips"--Early motion pictures. The picture [shows] a number of Esquimaux picking nickels from cracks in a board with their dog whips, in which sport they are very expert. In the background will be...
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Porter, Edwin S. - White, James H. (James Henry)
    • Date: 1901
  • Film, Video
    Esquimaux leap-frog
    Title from Edison films catalog, no. 135: Scene in the Esquimaux Village | Eskimo leap-frog
    "The film, photographed from a single camera position, shows buildings resembling igloos on ice floes, in front of which persons clothed as Eskimos play a game of leapfrog"--Early motion pictures. This shows several Esquimaux at the game of "Misheetak," or leap frog, which differs somewhat from the civilized game, and is quite amusing, the photography of which is perfect.
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Porter, Edwin S. - White, James H. (James Henry)
    • Date: 1901
  • Film, Video
    Esquimaux Village
    Eskimo Village
    "The first of three camera positions shows a low building resembling an igloo beside a small pool, and an ice floe. Dark-complexioned people dressed as Eskimos run up and down alongside the pool, and a dog pulls a sled. Next, some sled dogs are led in front of the camera. The last camera position shows the same dogs running into a tent made from...
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Porter, Edwin S. - White, James H. (James Henry)
    • Date: 1901
  • Film, Video
    Pan-American Exposition by night The film begins with a slow pan over the tower building of the exposition, which was lighted by electric lights. The pan goes from a daylight shot of the grounds to what appears to be a special effects situation involving back lighting of the scene. "A great feature of the Pan-American Exposition, as unanimously conceded by all visitors, was the electric illumination of the...
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Smith, James Blair - Porter, Edwin S. - White, James H. (James Henry)
    • Date: 1901
  • Film, Video
    Panorama of Esplanade by night
    Title from Edison catalog no. 135: Panoramic view of the Esplanade by night | Title from Edison catalog no. 225: Panoramic view of Esplanade by night | Title from Edison catalog no. 225: Panoramic view, Esplanade by night
    "The first objects visible in this film, which was taken at night, are the glowing light globes that outline the buildings closest to the camera position. The camera slowly pans, encompassing the complete area of the exhibit buildings, and the outlines of all the buildings are clearly discernible. Edwin S. Porter maintained that this was the first motion picture taken at night by incandescent...
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Porter, Edwin S. - White, James H. (James Henry)
    • Date: 1901
  • Film, Video
    Panoramic view of Electric Tower from a balloon "Here we have recorded a very novel scene, the camera having been placed in the basket of the captive balloon at the Pan-American Exposition. It was then slowly elevated to the top of the Tower, a distance of 465 feet, and slowly lowered until it reached the ground, keeping the Tower in view all the time during the ascent and descent, ending with a...
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Porter, Edwin S. - White, James H. (James Henry)
    • Date: 1901
  • Film, Video
    Circular panorama of Electric Tower
    Title in Edison films catalog, no. 135: Circular panorama of the Electric tower | Title in Edison films catalog, no. 288: Circular panorama, Electric Tower
    "A most interesting picture at the Pan-American Exposition structure was taken from the north side of the Electric Tower. It presented the most perfect and diversified views of the Transportation Building, Mexican Plaza, the Stadium and the north side of the Electric Tower"--Edison films catalog, no. 135.
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Porter, Edwin S. - White, James H. (James Henry)
    • Date: 1901
  • Film, Video
    President McKinley and escort going to the Capitol "The film begins by showing military personnel on horseback. The camera was positioned on a side street and photographed representatives of several different companies of American cavalry. Just as the film ends, foot soldiers and West Point cadets preceding the two horse-drawn carriages, one containing President McKinley's party, come into view"--Early motion pictures. "This most excellent picture was secured at the junction of Pennsylvania...
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Porter, Edwin S. - White, James H. (James Henry)
    • Date: 1901