sv000154.xml REID H. RAY FILM INDUSTRIES: An Inventory of Its Photographs at the Minnesota Historical Society Finding aid prepared by Chris Lautenschlager Minnesota Historical Society
St. Paul, MN.

Sound and Visual Collection

 Finding aid encoded by Chris LautenschlagerSeptember 2010 Finding aid written in English. OVERVIEW Minnesota Historical Society Reid H. Ray Film Industries collection [graphic] ca. 1930-1969. Materials in English. Views of the work of the Reid H. Ray Film Industries Co., St. Paul, Minn. (successor to Ray-Bell Films Inc. ca. 1947-1948). Includes views of employees, film crews on location, studio filming and equipment. Many of the photoprints document work done for "Horizon North" and "Teamwork on the Mesabi," films on the iron ore industry in Minnesota. Many of the photoprints were photographed by Gordon Ray, a photographer, writer and director at the company. The collection also includes photoprints taken by Ray, possibly not related to a company project. The accompanying print materials include proposals, scripts and storyboards for various film projects, essays by Gordon Ray on film techniques and uses, and miscellaneous items relating to the company. Compiled by Gordon R. Ray. 183 photoprints: b&w; 8 x 10 in. and smaller + 1 box print material. I.198: See Detailed Description for shelf locations. CATALOG HEADINGS

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics: Motion picture industry -- Minnesota -- Saint Paul -- Pictorial works. Taconite -- Minnesota -- Pictorial works. Persons: Ray, Gordon R. Organizations: Erie Mining Company -- Pictorial works. Ray-Bell Films -- Pictorial works. Reid H. Ray Film Industries -- Pictorial works. Document Types: Photographs. Internet resource. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Reid H. Ray Film Industries collection. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

Accession Information:

Accession number: AV1993.138

 Processing Information:

Processed by: Nancy Devine, April 1997.

Catalog ID number: 001688452

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION I.198. 1 Man with movie camera on top of sound truck on location at Providence, Rhode Island, ca. 1930.

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2 Herb Osland, sound engineer, 1942.

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3 Herb Osland, sound engineer on location for Reid H. Ray Film Industries, undated.

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4 Charlie Bell, at camera on sound stage, ca. 1944.

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5 Howard Cress at camera, ca. 1942.

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6 RCA portable sound system, ca. 1942.

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7 Reid Ray directing in studio, ca. 1935.

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8 Ray-Bell Films at Sibley House, 1938.

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9 Ray-Bell Studios on University Avenue, 1930.

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10 Television shoot in Pillsbury kitchens, June 16, 1960.

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11 Gordon Ray (right center) with Reid Ray Films on location at Naval Air Station, Minneapolis, undated.

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12 Film information center, undated.

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13 Man looking through microscope on a Reid H. Ray Film Industries set, undated.

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14 Two men on set, undated.

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15 Man with photograph album on set, undated.

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16 Reid Ray behind camera in studio, undated.

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17 Studio shoot, undated.

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18 Camera operator, undated.

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19 Woman standing in graveyard with camera crew on location, undated.

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20 Gordon Ray (left of camera) before aerial shooting, undated.

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21 Production design and animation process proof sheet, ca. 1960.

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22 Gordon Ray directing in studio, ca. 1950.

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23 Gordon Ray shooting on location, ca. 1950.

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24 Gordon Ray with light meter on studio shoot, ca. 1950.

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25 Gordon Ray at camera, ca. 1945. 26 Gordon Ray at camera, ca. 1945.

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27 Gordon Ray at camera, ca. 1950.

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28 Camera crews at Reid H. Ray Film Industries, St. Paul, ca. 1950.

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29 Sales staff at Reid H. Ray Film Industries, St. Paul, ca. 1950.

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30 Sales staff at Reid H. Ray Film Industries, St. Paul, 1950.

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31 Reid H. Ray Film Industries building on Ford Parkway, St. Paul, undated.

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32 Gordon Ray, undated.

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33 Howard Cress, Chief Cinematographer, 1953.

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34 Howard Cress at camera, 1950.

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35 Andy Chandler operating Oxberry animation camera at Reid H. Ray Film Industries, St. Paul, 1959.

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36 Andy Chandler with animation stand, ca. 1958.

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37 Andy Chandler with animation equipment, ca. 1958.

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38 Andy Chandler and Jim Jackson photographing animation for RCA TIROS first weather satellite, ca. 1958.

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39 Andy Chandler with Oxberry animation camera, ca. 1958.

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40 Reid Ray (left) and Gordon Ray (right) with Oxberry animation camera, ca. 1958.

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41 Gordon Ray (right) on location at Erie Mining Company, Hoyt Lakes., ca. 1950.

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42 Future site of Erie Mining Company's Taconite Harbor, North Shore of Lake Superior, ca. 1952.

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43 First extension of road to Erie Mining Company site of the future mining complex, ca. 1952.

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44 Filming pilot for Erie Mining Company at plant in Arovrak; left to right: Russ Croft, Mel Schluste, Paul Lewis, ca. 1950.

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45 Marquis Roen in Taconite Harbor, Lake Superior, ca. 1953.

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46 Taconite storage bins and train trestle above J. A. Campbell at dock in Taconite Harbor, Lake Superior, ca. 1950.

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47 Train trestle atop taconite storage bins at Taconite Harbor, Lake Superior, September 24, 1956.

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48 J. A. Campbell being loaded with taconite from conveyors into freighter's hold in Taconite Harbor, Lake Superior, ca. 1950.

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49 J. A. Campbell being loaded with taconite from conveyors into freighter's hold in Taconite Harbor, Lake Superior, ca. 1950.

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50 Temporary steel cells in Taconite Harbor, Lake Superior, ca. 1950.

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51 Taconite Harbor, Lake Superior, ca. 1950.

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52 Taconite conveyors above Taconite Harbor, Lake Superior, ca. 1950.

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53 Excavation of Taconite Harbor, Lake Superior, December 2, 1953.

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54 Construction of Taconite Harbor, Lake Superior, December 2, 1953.

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55 Construction of Taconite Harbor, Lake Superior, August 1955.

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56 Road along Taconite Harbor, Lake Superior, ca. 1953.

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57 Taconite Harbor and Erie Mining Plant, Hoyt Lakes, ca. 1953.

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58 Taconite Harbor, Lake Superior, August 24, 1956.

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59 Construction of Taconite Harbor, Lake Superior, December 1954.

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60 Crane in Taconite Harbor, Lake Superior, ca. 1950.

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61 Site for Erie Mining Company dock area in Taconite Harbor before construction began, Lake Superior, ca. 1953.

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62 Taconite Harbor, Lake Superior, ca. 1950.

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63 Perspective view of Taconite Harbor, Lake Superior, ca. 1950.

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64 Open pit mining, ca. 1950.

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65 Crane loading dump truck, ca. 1950.

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66 Construction of Erie Mining Company, Hoyt Lakes, ca. 1950.

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67 Construction of railroad bridge between Hoyt Lakes and Taconite Harbor, 1957.

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68 Interior of concentrator building with ball mills and rod mills at Erie Mining Company, Hoyt Lakes, ca. 1950.

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69 Interior of concentrator building with magnetic separators at Erie Mining Company, Hoyt Lakes, ca. 1950.

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70 Erie Mining Company Plant, Hoyt Lakes, ca. 1950.

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71 Course crusher building at Erie Mining Company Plant, Hoyt Lakes, ca. 1950.

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72 Construction of concentrator building at Erie Mining Company, Hoyt Lakes, ca. 1950.

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73 Construction of concentrator building at Erie Mining Company, Hoyt Lakes, August 1955.

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74 Construction of concentrator building at Erie Mining Company, Hoyt Lakes, ca. 1950.

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75 Construction of concentrator building at Erie Mining Company, Hoyt Lakes, ca. 1954.

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76 Construction of concentrator building at Erie Mining Company, Hoyt Lakes, ca. 1954.

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77 Construction of Erie Mining Company Plant, Hoyt Lakes, August 1954.

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78 Construction of concentrator building (left) and course crusher building (right) at Erie Mining Company Plant, Hoyt Lakes, May 2, 1954.

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79 Construction of Erie Mining Company Plant, Hoyt Lakes, ca. 1950.

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80 Coffer dams and cranes at Taconite Harbor, Lake Superior, August 1955.

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81 Drawing of taconite loading operations at Taconite Harbor, Lake Superior. ca. 1950.

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82 Drawing of taconite loading operations at Taconite Harbor, Lake Superior. ca. 1950.

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83 Drawing of taconite loading operations at Taconite Harbor, Lake Superior. ca. 1950.

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84 Graham Mine Number Two, church, and train hauling iron ore in Mesaba, undated.

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85 Graham Mine Number Two, Mesaba, ca. 1920.

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86 Trains at Graham Mine Number One, Mesaba, ca. 1915.

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87 Loading trains with iron ore at Graham Mine Number One, Mesaba, ca. 1913.

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88 Graham Mine Number One, Mesaba, ca. 1915.

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89 Views of Mesaba compiled for Sam McQuade ; left to right: Business Street, Public School, the W.E.W. Hotel, Mesaba Depot, 132 year old Indian, Graham Mine Number One, Knox Mine, Vivian Mine, undated.

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90 Street scene, McKinley, ca. 1909.

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91 McKinley Mine, ca. 1907.

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92 Street scene, Mesaba, ca. 1900.

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93 Wooden sidewalk, Mesaba, ca. 1930.

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94 View from Mesabi Range, ca. 1916.

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95 Train at McKinley Mine in Mesabi Range, ca. 1915.

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96 Iron Mine near Virginia, ca. 1912.

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97 Underground iron mine, Iron Range, August 1954.

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98 Underground mining operations, Ely, July 1955.

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99 Mining on the western edge of the Mesabi Range, undated.

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100 Railroad to Winton in Ely, undated.

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101 Iron mine, Biwabik, ca. 1950.

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102 Underground tipple on the horizon of an iron mine, Tower, undated.

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103 Iron mine and machinery, Iron Range, ca. 1950.

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104 Iron Freighter, undated.

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105 John P. Reiss, undated.

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106 House near North Shore, Lake Superior, ca. 1955. 107 Gordon Ray shooting in studio, ca. 1955. 108 Gordon Ray shooting in studio, ca. 1955. 109 Fashion photography along the Mississippi River, ca. 1955. 110 Studio model, ca. 1950. 111 Studio model, ca. 1955. 112 Artist Jim Jackson and model at studio set, 1956.

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113 The "Madonna" of 1956, 1956.

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114 Man driving tractor for John Deere film, ca. 1954.

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115 Farm family in John Deere film, 1954.

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116 Reid H. Ray Film Industries on location filming John Deere film, 1954.

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117 Reid H. Ray Film Industries on location in tenth year of John Deere film projects, ca. 1954.

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118 John Deere model 45 combine for John Deere film in Red River, ca. 1954.

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119 John Deere model 70 tractor in studio, 1954.

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120 John Deere two cylinder engine, 1954.

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121 Women working in factory, undated.

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122 Women shopping in Red Owl grocery store, undated.

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123 Church north-east of Grand Marais, ca. 1910.

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124 House in Grand Marais, ca. 1911.

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125 Harbor fire, Grand Marais, undated.

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126 The girl in the glass, 1946.

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127 Inside Fort and Stockade, Grand Portage, ca. 1950.

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128 Saw mill, Virginia, 1955.

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129 Camping out near Moose Lake, east of Ely, ca. 1947.

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130 School near Granite Falls, ca. 1952.

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131 School near Granite Falls, 1952.

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132 North Shore scenery, ca. 1950.

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133 Taconite Harbor, Lake Superior, ca. 1950.

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134 Man in workshop, undated.

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135 Three houses, ca. 1950.

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136 Bridge over river in winter, ca. 1950.

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137 Remains of Fort Ridgely, 1957.

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138 Winter scenery, ca. 1945.

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139 Lucky Strike cigarettes in piano case on studio table top for the Plastics' Company, 1949.

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140 Graflex camera in studio, 1949.

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141 Breech of 5" United States Navy gun, ca. 1945.

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142 Boat at dock, Grand Marais, 1954.

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143 Shoreline, Grand Marais, 1958.

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144 Fishing shack on the bay, Grand Marais, 1951.

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145 St. Anthony Falls and milling district, Minneapolis, ca. 1950.

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146 America docks in Grand Marais, ca. 1923.

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147 The steamer "America" on Lake Superior, ca. 1923.

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148 America sinking after striking reef in Washington Harbor, Lake Superior, June 7, 1928.

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149 America in outer Grand Marais Harbor, Lake Superior, ca. 1923.

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150 Indian Paintings at North Hegman Lake, St. Louis, ca. 1954.

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151 St. Paul skyline, undated.

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152 St. Paul skyline, undated.

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153 Camping at Basswood Lake, 1947.

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154 Boat house on dock, Grand Marais, 1956.

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155 Canoeing in Agnes Lake, 1947.

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156 Camp site on Kahshahpiwi, 1944.

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157 Canoeing on Crooked Lake, 1943.

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158 Portage out of Basswood Lake, 1943.

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159 Moose Lake from Hibbards Lodge, 1943.

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160 Fishing Camp on Crooked Lake, St. Louis County, 1943.

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161 Hibbards Lodge on Moose Lake, 1943.

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162 Moose Lake from "gin" hill, 1943.

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163 Portaging canoes on Basswood River, 1943.

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164 Portage out of North Bay Lake into Basswood, 1943.

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165 Portaging off the beaten track from "Yum-Yum to Kahahahpiwi portage," 1943.

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166 Indian store at Prairie Portage, ca. 1943.

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167 Jordon Lake narrows, 1942.

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168 Canadian Border Lodge on the south east corner of Moose Lake, to the east of Ely, ca. 1940.

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169 Canadian Border Lodge on Moose Lake, east of Ely, 1941.

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170 Lodge near Grand Rapids, ca. 1940.

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171 J.G. Ray (left) with guide holding walleyes from Jordan Lake narrows, ca. 1940.

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172 Gordon Ray with camera, undated.

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173 Deer along shore, undated.

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174 Boy looking out over lake, undated.

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175 Gordon Ray standing near a tree with lake behind him, undated.

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176 Boy looking at rocks, undated.

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177 Train, undated.

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178 St. Paul Winter Carnival Ice Palace, 1939.

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179 St. Paul Winter Carnival Ice Palace, 1939.

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180 St. Paul Winter Carnival Ice Palace, 1939.

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181 St. Paul Winter Carnival Ice Palace, 1939.

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182 St. Paul Winter Carnival Ice Palace, 1939.

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183 Print Materials, undated. 184 Sales manual for Reid H. Ray Industries, 1964. 185 Obituary for Reid H. Ray, St. Paul Pioneer Press, March 5, 1988. 186 Cine-Gram newsletter, Washington, DC, June 1969. 187 "Business Brevities," A Reid H. Ray Film Industries Publication, December 28, 1950. 188 Excellence in the Graphic Arts award certificate, 1963. 189 "Communications in Motion," promotional material for Reid H. Ray Film Industries, undated. 190 Business listing advertisement for Reid H. Ray Film Industries, November 1962. 191 Reid H. Ray Film Industries Christmas card, 1957. 192 Reid H. Ray Film Industries "Season's Greetings" card, 1958. 193 Reid H. Ray Film Industries "Season's Greetings" card, 1961. 194 Reid H. Ray Film Industries "Season's Greetings" card, 1951. 195 Two drafts of "Characteristics of the Film Medium," by Gordon Ray, undated. 196 "Control of Commercial Slide Film Production" essay, by Gordon Ray, undated. 197 Outlines for film on trees and forests, undated. 198 Proposal for an historical motion picture on Minnesota, undated. 199 Draft narration for an historical motion picture on Minnesota, September 8, 1955. 200 Draft timeline for an historical motion picture on Minnesota, undated. 201 Preliminary script for a motion picture on Northeast Minnesota and surrounding areas, ca. 1958. 202 "Samples of Life in Minnesota," by Gordon R. Ray, 1959. 203 Photocopy of script for "Teamwork on the Mesabi," 1957. 204 Photocopy of script for "Agricultural Portrait," 1957. 205 Draft script for "Agricultural Portrait," December 12, 1957. 206 Promotional brochure for "Agricultural Portrait," 1958. 207 "Treatment Suggestions on Erie Mining's Forthcoming Film," Reid H. Ray Film Industries, undated. 208 Draft script for "Horizon North," Reid H. Ray Film Industries, September 8, 1958. 209 Map of Erie Mining Company's taconite plant, undated. 210 Visitor Map of Erie Mining Company's commercial taconite plant, Hoyt Lakes, 1958. 211 Letter from Pickands Mather Company,commending Gordon R. Ray for "Horizon North" film production, January 19, 1959. 212 "First Pellets Loaded at Taconite Harbor" article, 1958. 213 "Iron Ore Shipping Resumed at PM Mines and Plants" article, from PM Iron News, May 1959. 214 Excerpted page and images from "Iron Ore Shipping Resumed at PM Mines and Plants" article, from PM Iron News May 1959. 215 "Horizon North" article, from Business Screen Magazine, undated. 216 Proposal for a film for National Geographic, 1958. 217 Draft script for "Sample Animation Sequence," undated. 218 Production notes for "Sample Animation Sequence," 1959. 219 Animation Sales film script, by Gordon R. Ray, May 18, 1961. 220 Addition production notes for "Sales Animation Film," undated. 221 Script for "Molecular Spectroscopy," written by Robert C. Bruce, July 7, 1961. 222 "The Viewfinder" newsletter, St. Paul, March 1964. 223 Proposal for Navy recruiting television spots, 1961. 224 Promotional material for "Free as a Bird," ca. 1963. 225 "Free as a Bird" storyboard ca. 1963. 226 Detailed storyboard for "Free as a Bird," ca. 1963. 227 Preliminary draft script for "Minnesota on Film," by Gordon R. Ray, March 18, 1963. 228 Updated draft script for "Minnesota on Film," by Gordon R. Ray, March 19, 1963. 229 Promotional brochure for "Food the Color of Life," ca. 1963. 230 Untitled treatment outline for film on adult nutrition, May 19, 1964.