Boston Studio Image Collection    •     Search for an Image

The Boston Studio Image Collection is a searchable database based on the original ledgers from the Harvey Boston Photographic Studio in David City, Nebraska, in business from 1893-1979. This database is composed of those ledger entries that have corresponding negatives. (Approximately 68,000 of the 100,000 entries have negatives.) Those ledger entries that do not have negatives can be viewed in the Boston Studio Ledgers.

So far, only a fraction of the 68,000 negatives have been scanned. Priority was given to scanning negatives that were deteriorating or in poor condition, negatives that needed identifying, negatives with historic or interesting images, and negatives that had been ordered for reprint. The remaining images will be scanned as they are requested or as dictated by the Boston Studio Project Committee.

The database can be searched using the name and address of the purchaser, date of the photograph, descriptive remarks, and negative number. If an image has been scanned, a thumbnail preview will be visible in the search results. If you would like to preview an image that has not yet been scanned, fill out a Thumbnail Request Form and submit it to the Boston Studio Project office. There is no fee for scanning and adding an image to the website. (This is covered in the Shipping and Handling Fee if you decided to purchase the image.)

The ledgers were handwritten by a variety of people over the years. The quality of the penmanship and spelling varies widely � within each ledger and across all ledgers. The entries were typed into the database as shown in the ledger, even if errors were obvious. You may want to use just a few letters when searching for a particular name, or use the �sounds like� search option if unsure of the exact spelling. Also, the Name field indicates the purchaser and does not necessarily refer to someone in the photograph.

Similar caution is needed when searching for an address. The town of David City was rarely written into the ledger but it can be assumed that for those entries where no town is listed in the address field, David City was probably their place of residence. The address might also be abbreviated, such as �Rising� instead of �Rising City�. The Remarks field will sometimes list the name of the person(s) in the photograph, or give a word or phrase to indicate the subject, such as �babe� or �baby� if the photo is of a baby.

You can order an image by clicking the Order Photo button next to the preview images. You can also order by mail by following the instructions on the Order page. If the preview thumbnail image is not adequate for viewing, contact the Boston Studio Project to make other arrangements.

Enhancement

Scratches, smears and spots are not always evident when viewing thumbnail images. If the Project volunteer determines that the ordered image can be improved by using photo software techniques, you will be contacted via email and given the Enhancement option along with a price quote. Full payment is required before Enhancement work is done. Orders should be completed within six weeks.

Donations

The cost of storing one negative in archival paper is $1.00. Since there are over 68,000 negatives in the Boston Studio Collection, there is little chance of being able to house them all in ideal conditions. The cost of this project will never be recouped through the sale of images alone. Donations are always welcome and appreciated. There is a Donation Option on the Order Form, or contributions can be made directly to the Boston Studio Project at the Hruska Library office.

There are many images missing from the Boston Studio Collection. While most of this is due to deterioration, poor storage conditions and time, there are also other contributing factors. Many of the original negatives were given or sold to the customers. If you have negatives or photos from the Boston Studio that are missing from the current collection, please consider allowing them to be scanned by the Boston Studio Project. Contact us via email or at the Hruska Library to make arrangements. All original photos or negatives will be returned to the owner, if desired.or at the Hruska Library to make arrangements. All original photos or negatives will be returned to the owner, if desired.