Motion picture clips from Central America
File — Box: Hewett 7
Scope and Contents
13 strips of nitrate negatives in poor condition: old movie film cut into pieces, probably cuts or outtakes from film created in the Yuctan and found in Edgar Lee Hewett’s desk.
These strips may date from 1910-1914, when Hewett was in Guatemala doing archaeological explorations; apparently Earl Morris, Sylvanus Morley, and Jesse Nusbaum filmed excavations at Quirigua and elsewhere, which were to be shown at the the Panama California San Diego Exposition in 1915. These strips could be related, possibly as outtakes or kept souvenir clips. They were kept by Hewett in an envelope marked with the logo of the Exposition which was used between 1912 and 1915.
They are positives on cellulose or nitrate film and are in poor and deteriorating condition–very splotchy, discolored, and cracked. Most are only 4 to 12 frames long. They include street scenes and agricultural scenes: potential topics shot by Nusbaum et al. include potentially the first films of the ancient Maya ruins of Yucatán, scenes from the Carnival parades in Mérida, and a documentation of henequen-fiber processing, from the cutting of the stalks to the finished cordage.
These strips may date from 1910-1914, when Hewett was in Guatemala doing archaeological explorations; apparently Earl Morris, Sylvanus Morley, and Jesse Nusbaum filmed excavations at Quirigua and elsewhere, which were to be shown at the the Panama California San Diego Exposition in 1915. These strips could be related, possibly as outtakes or kept souvenir clips. They were kept by Hewett in an envelope marked with the logo of the Exposition which was used between 1912 and 1915.
They are positives on cellulose or nitrate film and are in poor and deteriorating condition–very splotchy, discolored, and cracked. Most are only 4 to 12 frames long. They include street scenes and agricultural scenes: potential topics shot by Nusbaum et al. include potentially the first films of the ancient Maya ruins of Yucatán, scenes from the Carnival parades in Mérida, and a documentation of henequen-fiber processing, from the cutting of the stalks to the finished cordage.
Dates
- Majority of material found within 1906 - 1912
Access Restrictions
Collection is open to researchers on an appointment basis only, pending approval of application to view original material.
Extent
From the Collection: 8 Boxes
From the Collection: 9 Volumes
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Processing Information
This poor condition film was scanned then destroyed in 2014 (digital files stored under HP.1986.01). Envelope remains.
Creator
- From the Collection: Hewett, Edgar L. (Edgar Lee), 1865-1946 (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the NMHM Palace of the Governors Photo Archives Repository