FROM CARD: "OCTOPUS BAG, VERY SIMILAR TO ONE IN PORTLAND ART MUSEUM (#48-3-817), CALLED TLINGIT, RECEIVED 1934 FROM WINTER AND FORD (LONG-TIME PHOTOGRAPHERS IN TLINGIT AREA). -- KATE DUNCAN 3/18/1979."Source of the information below: Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center Alaska Native Collections: Sharing Knowledge website, by Aron Crowell, entry on this artifact http://alaska.si.edu/record.asp?id=51, retrieved 3-31-2012: Octopus Bag, Tlingit, Southeast Alaska.See Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center Alaska Native Collections: Sharing Knowledge website, by Aron Crowell, entry on a different Tlingit octopus bag which in the collections of the National Museum of the American Indian http://alaska.si.edu/record.asp?id=478, retrieved 2-13-2022. It has this information on octopus bags: Beaded octopus or "devilfish" bags, named for their eight dangling arms, are traditional and contemporary dance regalia, worn by both men and women. ... Octopus bags may have been adopted from Athabascan neighbors but were probably invented by Algonkian or Salish-speaking peoples of Canada, where these bags are also well known. "We always called it "finger bag" and it's true, the real name is "devil fish or octopus finger bag." And it was not only used by a man. In the olden days they put their valuables in there like a necklace or a bracelet; whatever is valuable to them, they have it in there." - Anna Katzeek, 2005Florence Sheakley, elder and beader, made the following comments during the Tlingit Recovering Voices Community Research Visit, March 13-March 24, 2017. This bag would have taken a long time to make based on how close the beads are to one another. The blue beads on the tassels of this object would have come from trade with Russia. This bag also has double toes, and was made with two needles whereas beaders today usually only use one.

FROM CARD: "21594-5. #21595: ALASKAN DUGOUT CANOE. IN FAIR ORDER. ILLUS. IN USNM AR, 1888; PL. 33, FIG. 170, P. 296. NEG. NO. 2,401. LOANED TO THE S.I. CENTENNIAL COMM. 7-9-75 (#21595). LOANED RETURNED MAR 22 1990. " FROM 19TH OR EARLY 20TH CENTURY EXHIBIT LABEL WITH CARD: "SMALL FAMILY OR SUMMER CANOE. FOR FISHING, HUNTING, ETC. ORNAMENTED WITH TOTEMIC DESIGNS. THIS ORNAMENTATION WAS FORMERLY PUT ON ALL CANOES, BUT IS AT PRESENT SEEN ONLY ON MODELS. TLINKIT INDIANS (KOLUSCHAN STOCK), SITKA, ALASKA. 21,595. COLLECTED BY DR. J. B. WHITE, U. S. A."In 2008, the canoe bow/prow figurehead was missing from this canoe model. A figure found in storage, which had been called ET9989-0, appears to match the photo of the figure as shown in Pl. 33, Fig. 170, p. 296 of USNM 1888 AR, and so it has been given number E21595. Upon close examination, it was found to have the number 21595 written on it, thus confirming the identification.This object is on loan to the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, from 2010 through 2027. Canoe includes 4 paddles and figurehead in position on bow on loan.Source of the information below: Smithsonian Arctic Studies Center Alaska Native Collections: Sharing Knowledge website, by Aron Crowell, entry on this artifact http://alaska.si.edu/record.asp?id=534 , retrieved 12-30-2011: Canoe model Large "war canoes" with projecting bows and high sterns were up to sixty feet long, with room for many passengers and thousands of pounds of gear and supplies. They served for coastal travel, trade, war, and relocation to seasonal camps. Haida men carved the canoes from tall cedar trees that grow in the Queen Charlotte Islands and traded them to northern neighbors. Elder Clarence Jackson said, "It was a sign of wealth when you had a Haida canoe." They were painted with clan crests – on this model, a bear on the bow and a bird figure on the stern.

“4 pr. salad spoons and forks carved in wood by Koloshian Indians.” per White's original catalog in the NAA.

“Floor mat made by nearly all the Indians in Alaska.” per White's original catalog in the NAA.

FROM CARD: "IMITATED IN STRAW PLAIT. 2/13/67 - 2 LOCATED MARKED A & B."

“4 pr. salad spoons and forks carved in wood by Koloshian Indians.” per White's original catalog in the NAA.

The parts of the smoking set now called #E21589 were originally catalogued as three separate numbers - 21587, 21588, and 21589, for the base of the piece, the two side "boats" or canoe-shaped containers for matches and ashes, and the central cup for cigars. However, as the parts are a set and are now all glued together to form one artifact, the piece is now called #21589 only. - S. Crawford and F. Pickering 1-5-2006“Ornamental carving in wood 5 pieces attached. The center for Segars boats upon the side, one for matches and one for Segar ashes.” per White's original catalog in the NAA.On exhibit in NMNH Sant Ocean Hall. 2014 exhibit caption identifies this as a Tlingit oyster catcher sculpture.

FROM CARD: "APRIL 20, 1901 - ONE SPECIMEN SENT LT. G. EMMONS, PRINCETON, N.J., AS EXCHANGE. ILLUS. IN USNM REPT, 1902; PL. 37; P. 548."