This collection of photographs taken by Charles O. Farciot documents Edward Schieffelin’s gold prospecting trip through Alaska via the Yukon River. Views include many close portraits of Alaskan natives and their families; the towns of St. Michael, Nuklukayet, and Anvik; trading stations; Schieffelin and his dog sled team; and Fort Yukon missionaries interacting with Alaskan natives.

Charles O. Farciot was born in Switzerland in 1840 and became a United States citizen in 1858. In the course of his life, Farciot learned enough to become a photographer and steamship engineer. After opening photography studios in Arizona, he met Edward Schieffelin, the founder of Tombstone, Arizona. Schieffelin, who was interested in searching for gold in the Yukon, took Farciot along as part of his gold prospecting party to Alaska in 1882. Discouraged by the harsh environment, Schieffelin left in 1883, but Farciot stayed behind to work as a steamship engineer on the Yukon River until at least 1886. Upon leaving Alaska, Farciot opened photograph studios in San Francisco.

45 photographs in 1 album; album 24 x 30 cm. (9 x 12 in.). See itemized list under "Additional collection guides."

All requests for permission to publish photographs must be submitted in writing to the Curator of Photographs. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Huntington as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.