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TABLE OF CONTENTSInventory |
Guide to the Ken the Photographer Image Collection
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Descriptive Summary | ||
| Creator | Harris, Ken | |
| Title | Ken the Photographer Image Collection , | |
| Dates: | 1970 - 2010 | |
| Abstract: | The Ken the Photographer Image Collection (1 box, 1970-2010) highlights the photos of Ken Harris, a Jamaica, Queens born photographer. Mr. Harris started his career in photography as a young man. After several years of success and exhibitions at various museums Mr. Harris put down his camera for several years. Taking pictures at the Million Man March event in Washington, DC in 1995 sparked a renewed interest in photography for Mr. Harris. | |
| Extent: | 1 box, .5 cubic feet | |
| Identification: | K-9 | |
| Location: | The material is located in the Archives at Queens Library. The regular sized box number designates the regular sized box location. The location for oversized boxes is listed in the Manuscripts Shelf Location Register. Boxes containing photographic prints and negatives are listed in the Image Collections Location Register. | |
Historical/Biographical Note
Ken the Photographer was born Ken Harris in Jamaica, NY. Mr. Harris was in his early teens when his brother, Ptah Hotep, gave him a Canon camera. Mr. Harris took to photography so well that in a few years his photos were on display for an exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum. Mr. Harris also had exhibits at the Queens based Store Front Museum. In 1971 Mr. Harris entered a program for gifted young photographers at the Afro School of the Arts. While entered in the program Mr. Harris also studied graphic arts at Jamaica High School.
Mr. Harris, and a few of his classmates, put together a four page pamphlet on the 1969-1970 NBA Champion New York Knicks. The success of that project prompted Mr. Harris to pursue a book entitled “Up South, Down North” with fellow classmate Kim Watson that would have combined his photography with her poetry. Due to finances the project was never completed. Soon afterwards Mr. Harris abandoned photography.
In 1995 the Million Man March was assembled at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Mr. Harris had decided to attend the march with the sole purpose of atonement. Once again inspired by his older brother, Ptah, Mr. Harris decided to bring his camera to take photos of the historic event. Mr. Harris’ photos were so good that they were featured in the Million Man March calendar produced by Edna M. Swan and Robbie Garrison for Blackcast Entertainment. Catching the photography bug again Mr. Harris has taken photos of many notable people in the various fields of music, theatre, and government. Mr. Harris is married to Cythia Horner, a well-known author, editor, and entrepreneur.
A program highlighting the photographs of Mr. Harris was held at the Long Island City Library on Thursday May 7, 2015.
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Scope and Content Note
The Ken the Photographer Image Collection consists of several photographs covering various people and places. The collection has been grouped together in series to break down its numerous parts in a manner best suited for research. The series are listed in alphabetical order as are the contents of each series.
Series one contains images of actors and actresses. Some of the personalities in this series include Angela Bassett, Cicily Tyson, and Terrence Howard.
Series two consists of pictures of people from government such as Councilman Charles Barron and former NY State senator Hillary Rodham-Clinton.
Series three are local people around the South Jamaica community during the early 1970’s.
The fourth series in the collection, Marches, includes images from the Million Woman March in Philadelphia and the Million Man March on October 16, 1996.
The fifth series in the collection contains images of musicians. The musicians are predominately from the Rhythm and Blues genre. This series includes individual prints and 3 binders of photographs.
The sixth series has prints of notable figures in activism, religion, and publishing. This series is the smallest in the collection.
The seventh series has images of local scenery such as a park and the Empire State Building.
The eighth series contains photographs from the world of Sports. The series is divided into two sub-series, Basketball and Tennis, with a majority of prints from a 1973 game between the New York Knicks and the Chicago Bulls.
The last series in the collection collects images that have not been identified. They consist mainly of photographs of an outdoor event and its performers.
There are 26 negative sheets in the collection, mainly highlighting an Al Green performance at the SOUL Show in 1972.
There are also 3 binders of various celebrities and prominent figures within the African-American community. The contents for each binder are listed separately from the main inventory.
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Arrangement
Folders are arranged by subject and the contents of the folders are in alphabetical order.
Folders are arranged by series and sub-series. The series and sub-series are arranged in alphabetical order.
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Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Published citations should take the following form:
Creator of item, date of
item (if known), identification of item, if a photograph its control number. The Ken
the Photographer Image Collection , Archives at Queens Library, Queens Borough
Public Library.
Access Restrictions
Open for research without restrictions. Manuscripts are only available in the Archives at Queens Library. Call (718) 990-0770 for hours and access information. Manuscript users will be required to complete the division's Manuscript Usage Form and deposit their photograph identification or Queens Borough Public Library card with a staff member. The identification will be returned to the user after she/he has returned the material. Manuscript users will deposit all their personal items behind the reference desk. Manuscript users must use the division's loose sheets of paper for note taking. To reiterate, no pen of any type is permitted. Paper and a pencil are available upon request. Manuscript users may be required to use special handling procedures depending on the conditions of the material.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the:
- Archives at Queens
Library
- Queens Borough Public
Library
- 89-11 Merrick
Boulevard
- Jamaica, NY
11432
- Phone: (718)
990-0770
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Access Points
Subject Places:
- Jamaica (New York, N.Y.)
- Queens (New York, N.Y.)
Document Types:
- Documents
- Photographs
- Prints
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Inventory
[The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.]
