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The David V. Tinder Collection of Michigan Photography consists of over 100,000 images in a variety of formats including daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, tintypes, cartes de visite, cabinet photographs, real photo postcards, stereographs, and mounted and unmounted paper prints. The collection is primarily made up of vernacular photographs of everyday life in Michigan taken by both professional and amateur photographers from the 1840s into the mid-twentieth century. In addition to supporting local history research, the collection has resources for the study of specific events and subjects. Included are images related to lumbering, mining, suburbanization; the industrialization of cities; travel and transportation; the impact of the automobile; the rise of middle-class leisure society; fashion and dress; ethnicity and race; the role of fraternal organizations in society; and the participation of photographers in business, domestic, and social life. The collection is only partially open for research.

The subject contents of different photographic format series within the Tinder collection vary, depending in part upon how each format was historically used, and the date range of that format's popularity. For example, cartes de visite and cased images are most often formal studio portraits, while stereographs are likely to be outdoor views. Cabinet photographs are frequently portraits, but often composed with less formality than the cartes de visite and cased images. The postcards and the mounted prints contain very diverse subjects. The photographers' file contains many important and rare images of photographers, their galleries, promotional images, and the activities of photographers in the field. See individual series descriptions in the Contents List below for more specific details.

Included throughout are images by both professional and amateur photographers, although those by professionals are extant in far greater numbers.

The Dennis K. Sullivan photograph album contains 28 images compiled by Detroit, Michigan-based detective Dennis K. Sullivan, including 27 portraits primarily of men and women accused of various crimes, the majority of whom are identified through inscriptions.

The Dennis K. Sullivan photograph album contains 28 images compiled by Detroit, Michigan-based detective Dennis K. Sullivan, including 27 portraits primarily of men and women accused of various crimes, the majority of whom are identified through inscriptions.

The album (15 x 11.5 cm) is a cartes de visite album with embossed brown leather covers, an ornate metal clasp, and gilt-edged pages.

• Tintype portrait of a bearded white man captioned "Dennis K. Sullivan Detroit Mich Detective"
• Carte de visite portrait of a white man with a mustache captioned "Yours Truly, P. W. Herriet (Zeb Crummet)"
• Tintype portrait of a white man captioned "George Lowle suspected of setting fire to the Punchard School House at Andover"
• Carte de visite portrait of an unidentified bearded white man; inscription on verso reads "Wanted in Chicago"
• Carte de visite portrait of a bearded white man taken by Fisher Bros. of Boston; inscription on verso reads "Geo. F. Hartwell of Sandwich Mass left there on the afternoon of Dec. 18 1867 and that was the last was seen of him. He was agoing to Boston and had $1000 in his pocket to pay some bills"
• Photographic reproduction of a photographic portrait of a white man captioned "Bryant T. Henry Defaulter from the Shawmut Bank of 63,000 in money he went to Cuba and was found there by two of the Directors and they settled with him and took 24,000 of the money and let him off"
• Photographic reproduction of a carte de visite portrait of a bearded white man captioned "Dr. Miller 1742"; inscription on verso reads "Rec’d from Chief of Police of San Francisco Cali."; Printed photographer credits of "E. P. Dunshee 2 Tremont Row, Boston" crossed out on verso
• Carte de visite portrait of a white man with a moustache taken by G. H. Loomis of Boston; inscription on verso reads "Thomas the absconding Forger from Hanover st his business was the Hope Envelope Company"
• Carte de visite portrait of a white man taken by Wm. H. Wardwell of Boston captioned "Henry Goodrich"; inscription on verso reads "Missing since April 29th Henry Goodrich Age 29 yrs, 5 ft. 9 Weight 150 lb. light complexion supposed to be temporary insane. Resides 72 West Canton Street Boston"
• Carte de visite portrait of a white woman taken by Wyman & Co. of Boston; inscription on verso reads "Mrs. Coolidge Hotel Beat Sneak Thief Swindler and female Confidence Woman"
• Carte de visite portrait of a white child taken by Wyman & Co. of Boston; inscription on verso reads "Mrs. Coolidge Boy"
• Carte de visite portrait of an unidentified white woman (likely "Mrs. Coolidge") taken by R. B. Lewis of Hudson, Massachusetts
• Carte de visite group portrait of two white women taken by Wyman & Co. of Boston; inscription on verso reads "With tie Bonnet on is Mrs. Coolidge"
• Tintype portrait of a white woman captioned "Lizzie Smith, Larceny of 2 Dreses front Jassie Brigham"
• Tintype portrait of a white woman; inscription on verso reads "Fannie Thompson alias Gallager - 24 Gonch st Care of M. A. Davis. Fannie used to live corner of Crosby & Prince Sts. N. York March 18. 1869 20 yrs old this date"
• Carte de visite portrait of a white man with a moustache taken by Dunshee’s New Photograph Parlor of Boston; inscription on verso reads "Josiah D. Hunt, alias J. H. Dexter absconded from Providence R.I. with $50,00.00 liabilities case Parker & Caldwell Boston Mass."
• Second copy of carte de visite portrait of Josiah D. Hunt
• Third copy of carte de visite portrait of Josiah D. Hunt
• Carte de visite portrait of a white man with a moustache; inscription on verso reads "James Whitney - Singer, Sedused the Wife of Williard the Artist"
• Gem tintype portrait of a white man with a moustache captioned "Daniels Foxboro"; inscription on verso reads "Daniels of Foxboro Mass About 25 years old 5 ft 11 high Well built, light Complexion Auburn hair, redish moustach piped him for his brother"
• Carte de visite portrait of a white man taken by Black & Case of Boston captioned "Daniel Brown"; inscription on verso reads "Daniel Brown Wanted by Thomas D. Kendrick for Forgery $20,00"; revenue stamp dated Jan 16 1865 on verso
• Carte de visite portrait of a white man with a moustache taken by C. L. Howe of Brattleboro, Vermont captioned "Tom Maguire"; inscription on verso reads "Thos. Maguire Tom Mcguire Reporter"; album page includes piece of scrap paper with inscription reading "Ring Thief"
• Gem tintype portrait of a bearded white man attached to business card of Boston grocers Carr, Chase & Raymond; inscription on verso reads "Policeman Barry & Son stole $1000 from Hayley New? & Boyden, got 18 months"
• Gem tintype portrait of a white man with a moustache captioned "Cheeney’s picture"
• Carte de visite group portrait of two white men taken by J. U. P. Burnham of Portland, Maine; inscription on verso reads "Charles Brown & James R. Rickett"
• Carte de visite portrait of a white woman taken by Geo. F. Parlow of New Bedford, Massachusetts captioned "Mary M. Heller"; inscription on verso reads "Picture of Mary M. Heller Newbedford Mass. Address J. H. Briggs Box 62 Newtonville Mass. or Mrs. Russell No 1 Rickerson court Newbedford Mass."
• Carte de visite portrait of a white man with a moustache taken by B. P. Browne of Boston; inscription on verso reads "Edward Sweetler, alias Professor Maurice, " " Rupert"
• Carte de visite portrait of a white woman taken by Gilchrest of Lowell, Massachusetts; inscriptions on verso read "Hattie W. Blanchard about 30, light compl, blue eyes, medium hight" and "She had a Fancy Man by the Name of Williams She lives at 105 Plesant St"

The Edward R. Mullin, USS Albany in Asia photograph albums consist of three volumes containing images and ephemera that document an American sailor’s experiences aboard a US Navy ship in the Asiatic Fleet from 1919 to 1920.

The Edward R. Mullin, USS Albany in Asia photograph albums consist of three volumes containing images and ephemera that document an American sailor’s experiences aboard a US Navy ship in the Asiatic Fleet from 1919 to 1920.

Volume A: This album (14.5 x 21 cm) contains photographs of scenes in Panama, Hawaii, Japan, Russia, China, California, and the Philippines that mostly depict the USS Albany, American soldiers and sailors, local citizens, and tourist scenes. Numerous ephemeral items compiled by Edward R. Mullin (the album’s creator) from various foreign places are also present, including tickets, stamps, bank notes, and an Asahi beer label. Of note is a “familiar phrases” card for translating English to Japanese. On the inside back cover of the album a handwritten log lists arrivals and departures of the USS Albany, while a typescript description of a military takeover of Vladivostok, Russia, is also included.

Volume B: This album (18 x 26 cm) contains photographs of scenes in Russia and China. Images show American soldiers and sailors exploring sites and interacting with local citizens as well as natural scenery and architecture. Of note are photographs of the Great Wall and the Forbidden City in China. Some photos have handwritten captions that identify locations and/or persons pictured

Volume C: This album (20.5 x 29 cm) contains photographs of scenes in Russia, the Philippines, Panama, Japan, China, Hawaii, and California. Of note are photographs of the Panama Canal and some images showing the compiler of the album, Edward R. Mullin. Many photos have handwritten captions. Also present are various types of ephemera including a beer label, tickets, and a fabric poppy flower, as well as a photocopy of Mullin’s service record, a large portrait of the USS Albany in Shanghai, China, and a loose photo of the USS Albany in Vladivostok.

The Ismailia-Damascus pilgrimage photograph albums consist of a three-volume set containing approximately 260 photographs taken during an Ismailia Shriner pilgrimage trip in 1902 to the western United States and an undated expedition overseas to various places in Greece, Egypt, Turkey, Palestine, Syria, Algeria, Lebanon, and Italy.

Volume 1 (23 x 25 cm) contains approximately 98 photographs pertaining to an overseas Shriner expedition to various locations around the Mediterranean Sea region including sites in North Africa, western Asia, and southern Europe. It is unclear when this expedition took place, though it likely occurred ca. 1902. Many of the sites visited by the group are related to biblical stories, events, and personages. Images of particular interest include the Lion's Gate at Mycenae (pg. 1); the Arch of Hadrian in Athens (pg. 3); the supposed tree under which Mary and Joseph rested in the Land of Goshen (pg.8); ruins from a "last stand" made by European Crusaders (pg. 11); the Plain of Sharon (pg. 12); the Great Pyramid (pg. 14); a "Nilo-meter" on the River Nile (pg. 14); an elevated view of Istanbul (pg. 16); a group of Greek Klephts marching in traditional uniforms (pg. 17); Tiberias (pg. 18); a tour boat conducted by guides of Nassaire, Farajallah & Co. (pg. 19); Jerusalem's Damascus Gate (pg. 21); the bell tower on the Mount of Olives (pg. 24); the Monastery of Choziba (pg. 24); the Mosque of Amr in Cairo (pg. 28); ancient Egyptian ruins at Luxor (pg. 30); the public square in Corinth where Paul was said to have preached (pg. 31); Bisharin villagers near Aswan (pg. 34); a waterfront view of Algiers (pg. 35); Pompeii (pg. 36); Job's Wall in Silwan, Palestine (pg. 40); the Bosporus Strait (pg. 41); Haifa (pgs. 43 & 45); Damascus (pg. 46); Ba'labakk (pgs. 47 & 48); and Hotel Fast in Jerusalem (pg. 49). Many but not all of the images have inscribed captions on their versos. A loose cartoonish engraving/etching of a bald man with a moustache wearing Arabic clothing while riding a camel titled "Dr. Walter D. Greene" is also present inside the front cover. The album is string bound in black leather covers with the word "Photographs" embossed in gold on front.

Volume 2 (18.5 x 27.5 cm) contains approximately 98 photographs related to the Ismailia-Damascus Pilgrimage of 1902. Images of particular interest include a cyanotype of B.W. Rowell (pg. 1); a group portrait of the travelling party at the railroad station in McFarlan, Kansas (pg. 5); scenes from Pikes Peak, Colorado (pgs. 7-23); views of the Garden of the Gods (pgs. 24, 25, 28-36 & 38); the Royal Gorge (pgs. 37, 39, 40, 42 & 44); Glenwood Springs, Colorado (pgs. 47-49, 57 & 58); the Mormon Tabernacle and Salt Lake Temple (pgs. 52-54); Monterey Bay, California (pgs. 64-66 & 67); Santa Barbara, California (pgs. 68-71); Mount Shasta and Shasta Springs (pgs. 73-77); natural landscapes in Oregon (pgs. 81-86); and a ferry boat on the Columbia River (pgs. 91-96). The album is bound in red leather covers with the words "Photographs of the Ismailia-Damascus Pilgrimage 1902; Compliments of B.W. Rowell, Imperial Recorder; To Walter D. Greene" embossed in gold on front.

Volume 3 (18.5 x 27.5 cm) contains approximately 63 photographs related to the Ismailia-Damascus Pilgrimage of 1902. Images of particular interest include scenes from Spokane, Washington (pgs. 1-3); geysers at Yellowstone's Norris Basin (pgs. 12-22) and Upper Basin (pgs. 27-36); Yellowstone Lake (pgs. 39-43); Yellowstone's Upper and Lower Waterfalls and Grand Canyon (pgs. 46-51); Shriner Caleb Saunders posing with a haul of fish (pg. 52); and Walter D. Greene posing with his wife Mary L. Greene (pg. 55), an unidentified fellow "manager" of the pilgrimage (pg. 56), and alongside George F. Loder and a man identified as "Gass" (pg. 57). The album is bound in red leather covers with the words "Photographs of the Ismailia-Damascus Pilgrimage 1902; Compliments of B.W. Rowell, Imperial Recorder; To Walter D. Greene" embossed in gold on front.

The John D. Bagley photograph albums consist of three photograph albums created by John DuCharme Bagley IV of the Bagley family of Detroit, Michigan.

The John D. Bagley photograph albums consist of three photograph albums belonging to John DuCharme Bagley IV of the Bagley family of Detroit, Michigan.

The photograph albums document the life of John DuCharme Bagley IV over a period of twenty years or so. Bagley IV was clearly an enthusiastic amateur photographer who enjoyed documenting his family and friends. The photos in all three albums are snapshot-sized and mostly taken outdoors. While the earliest album (Volume I) is extensively captioned, the other two are not.

Volume 1:

The first volume (14 x 30 cm) includes images taken between 1903 and 1905, including numerous photographs taken during a Bagley family trip to Europe. Bagley IV was a teenager at the time. Identified family members documented in this album include his older sister Frances, younger brother Phil, parents John N. and Esther, and an “Aunt Frankie” who was likely Esther’s sister. This trip appears to have lasted several months, perhaps the better part of an entire year. Locations visited included the German Alps, Naples, Rome, Pompeii, Lake Lucerne, Amsterdam, and London. The family’s return to New York by steamship is also represented. The remainder of this album documents experiences on Woodcote Farm in Ionia, Michigan, as well as family life in Detroit and outdoor summer activities at Long Lake in Grand Traverse County, Michigan.

Volume 2:

The second volume (20.5 x 30.5 cm) contains material compiled during World War I and afterwards. Views of the U.S. Naval Academy and of Washington D.C. are included, and Bagley IV is shown in many images wearing a naval uniform. Several warships (including what appears to be the USS Pennsylvania, commissioned in 1916) are pictured from afar throughout the album. One series of snapshots shows an Armistice celebration taking place at an unidentified location. Several pages showcase scenic views taken during a train journey through an unidentified mountainous region. The bulk of the remaining pictures in this album consist of portraits of family and friends posing informally in urban, domestic, and rural settings. Bagley IV appears regularly, usually in a business suit, and in a couple of cases he can be seen standing next to a Bagley & Co. company vehicle. Also present is a large loose photo that shows John J. Bagley’s birthplace in Medina, New York, which was photographed in 1895.

Volume 3:

The third volume (20.5 x 30.5 cm) contains numerous photographs taken during visits to New Mexico and Colorado in 1908 as well as Oregon in 1909. Images in the New Mexico section highlight operations and personnel of the Maxwell Irrigated Land Company. Bagley IV’s younger brother Phil may have been involved with this company. While it is not entirely clear which photos were taken in Colorado, numerous images of logging operations and logging camps were most likely taken in Oregon. Also present are personal photos showing Bagley IV and his wife Mary visiting forests and beaches. The final section of the album includes photos of Bagley IV in a navy uniform and views of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland.

The Key West, Dry Tortugas album (10 x 12 cm) contains 14 collodion printing-out-paper prints consisting of architectural views of Fort Jefferson, Florida, portraits of government employees at Fort Jefferson and Key West, a view of Bird Key and a group of dairy cows on Key West.

The Key West, Dry Tortugas album (10 x 12 cm) contains 14 collodion printing-out-paper prints consisting of two exterior and seven interior views of Fort Jefferson, Florida, two group portraits of the "Commandant" with his brother and wife, a view of "Bird Key, near K[ey] W[est]", a group portrait of 25 men posed outdoors with the caption: "Govt. employees at Key West, Florida. All except 11 died, yellow fever, 1899.", and a picture of cows on a street captioned: "A walking dairy at Key West; the manner in which milk is delivered." Two photographs in mounts are labeled: "Burgert Bros., Key West, Florida.

The album has a half-cloth cover with floral cloth boards and the title "Photogs" imprinted in silver. Housed in a gray box.

The Lewis J. Cox photograph album contains 47 photographs of Lewis J. Cox's family and home in Terre Haute, Indiana, taken between approximately 1900 and 1910.

The Lewis J. Cox photograph album contains 47 photographs of Lewis J. Cox's family and home in Terre Haute, Indiana, taken between approximately 1900 and 1910. The exterior of album (14 x 11.5 cm) is in fragile condition.

The MacMillan Arctic Expedition photograph album contains approximately 160 photographs related to the Arctic Expedition to Greenland in the summer of 1925 led by Donald Baxter MacMillan aboard the ships Peary and Bowdoin.

The MacMillan Arctic Expedition photograph album contains approximately 160 photographs related to the Arctic Expedition to Greenland in the summer of 1925 led by Donald Baxter MacMillan aboard the ships Peary and Bowdoin. The photographs were removed from the journal of Chief Boatswain Earl E. Reber, an expedition pilot, and stored in plastic sheets in a green three-ring binder (30 x 30 cm). Images of interest include scenes from the departure out of Boston, Massachusetts; a stop at Labrador; many views of native peoples and landscapes of Greenland; and shipboard photographs including individual and group crew portraits, crew members playing pirate, and a view of the captain's table with officers and servants. Landscape views include rocky shorelines, glaciers, drift and pack ice, icebergs, and aerial photographs of Etah harbor, the Greenland ice cap, and Ellesmere Island. Crew members are shown in various images interacting with native Greenlanders onboard ships, showing a group of children how to use a camera, and visting a native Greenlander residence. Additional images include views of an Inuit summer hut and permanent shelter, sled dogs, and natives kayaking and cleaning a walrus carcass; the unloading and assembly of the Loenig amphibious aircraft; and waterfront views of Battle Harbor, Labrador, and of Gotthaab, Godhavn, and Umanak, Greenland.

Expedition members identified by typewritten captions include: Floyd Benney, Richard Byrd, Leo Max Davidoff, Albert Francis, Jacob Gayer, John La Gorce, Donald MacMillan, E. F. McDonald, A. C. Nold, W. D. Publicover, Earl E. Reber, Charles Rocheville, M. A. Schur, Nels Sorensen, and G. F. Steele.

The Oberlin, Ohio photograph album contains 11 studio portrait photographs, including several images of family members and friends apparently related to a biracial family based in Oberlin, Ohio.

The Oberlin, Ohio photograph album contains 11 studio portrait photographs, including several images of family members and friends apparently related to a biracial family based in Oberlin, Ohio.

The album (13.5 x 10 cm) has embossed leather covers and a broken metal clasp. The album spine has completely deteriorated and all pages are completely detached from one another. For conservation and preservation purposes, all original photographs have been removed from their album page slots and replaced with facsimile copies. The original photographs are stored in a separate container along with the album.

Most of the individuals represented in this album have been tentatively identified through the presence of inscriptions made on album pages; all or most of the subjects appear to have been biracial/African American. Many page captions appear to be associated with friends and family members of the Vaughn family (alternatively spelled “Vaughan”) of Oberlin, Ohio. One group portrait of two boys present in the page captioned “John & Louis Vaughn” may depict brothers John Sewell Vaughn and Wendal Louis Vaughn, the latter of whom went on to become a professional photographer. While it remains unclear who the original compiler of the album was, it is possible that it was assembled by either a member or close friend of the Vaughn family.

The following list includes inscriptions present on album pages (in order of appearance) and/or descriptions of the portraits associated with each inscription:

• “Oscar Viney Dolph Viney’s father”: Carte de visite portrait of a bearded man with a hat. Possibly Oscar F. Viney (approximately 1830-1904) of Gallipolis, Ohio, who had a son named Adolphus E. Viney (1873-1947)
• “Aunt America Vaughn Clark”: Tintype portrait of a young woman. Possibly America Vaughn Clark (approximately 1845-?) of Gallipolis, Ohio. Includes revenue tax stamps on verso dated January 16 1866 as well as pasted-on clipped newspaper obituary for a woman named Maude Cooper Horton (1880-1903). The obituary mentions a surviving three-year-old daughter by the name of Louise; a Columbus, Ohio, death certificate for a Louise Horton (1900-1918) with parents listed as “Maud Cooper” and “William Horton” indicates that this family was "colored."
• “Will Vaughn”: Carte de visite portrait of a man with a large mustache by H. M. Platt of Oberlin, Ohio. Possibly William Craddock Vaughn (approximately 1835-1912)
• “John & Louis Vaughn”: Carte de visite group portrait of two boys by H. M. Platt. Possibly John Sewell Vaughn (1857-1931) and Wendel Louis Vaughn (approximately 1860-1918).
• “John Vaughn": Carte de visite portrait of a young man by H. M. Platt. Possibly John Sewell Vaughn, though also appears to possibly resemble older version of Wendel Louis Vaughn when compared to preceding group portrait.
• “Aunt Margaret”: Carte de visite portrait of a woman with curly hair.
• “Aunt Margaret”: Tintype portrait of a woman with curly hair. Same woman photographed in preceding image.
• “Thresa Madey”: Carte de visite portrait of a woman by C. W. Howland of Cincinnati, Ohio.
• “? Cooper”: No photograph in page slot.
• “Mary Hamilton”: Tintype portrait of a young African American woman.
• [Unidentified African American infant]: Carte de visite portrait of an unidentified infant by an unidentified photographer of St. Louis, Missouri.

The Pictorial Record of the United States Army Air Forces 90th Bombardment Group consists of two volumes containing 1 manuscript item and approximately 412 photographs documenting the activities of the USAAF 90th Bombardment Group during the New Guinea campaign of War World II.

Materials are housed in plastic sleeves contained in two green-colored 3-ring binders (30 x 33 cm). All photographs are gelatin silver developing-out prints and for the most part measure between 10 x 12 cm and 26 x 20 cm in size. Numerous images bear stamps that state “Passed by U.S. Army Examiners.” Most images do not have captions, though a small number do have typescript captions on their versos.

Volume A:

Volume A contains approximately 186 photographs as well as 1 manuscript item. The volume begins with a one-page typescript document issued ca. 1944 that is addressed to the 400th Bomb Squadron 90th Bomb Group, stating the photographs are intended to be “the Pictorial Record of Our Unit.” The letter is signed by Maj. C. Vernon Ekstrand of the U.S. Army Air Corps. Photographs include a composite portrait of the 90th Bomb Group members, individual and group portraits of 90th Bomb Group members, a group portrait of Japanese military personnel, images of Allied military facilities, Japanese warships being bombed, military aircraft shown both midair as well as on the ground, what appears to be an abandoned Japanese tank, and numerous landscape views. Also present are several images showing aircraft nose art. Of particular interest are various pictures documenting interactions with native Papuan people including individual and group portraits as well as photographs of Papuan settlements and structures (including churches).

Volume B:

Volume B contains approximately 226 photographs. This volume includes a substantial number of pictures of indigenous Papuan individuals, children, and families, including several portraits of nude women (including mothers breastfeeding), as well as images showing traditional Papuan body modifications and tattoos. Of particular note are images that appear to document a Papuan ceremony that showcases elements of traditional Papuan clothing, music, and ritual dance, as well as a photograph of a Papuan trumpet player. Other items of interest include numerous images documenting USO performers (including Bob Hope and Patty Thomas) and a series of aircraft nose art photographs that include several works signed by Cpl. Al G. Merkling. Images of airborne planes and landscape views also feature prominently in this volume.