Oblong Folio (ca. 35 x 18 cm or 13 ¾ x 11 in). 28 black stiff paper leaves. Ca. 220 mounted gelatin silver photographs, 6 ca. 25 x 20 cm (9 ¾ x 8 in), the rest from ca. 17.5 x 12.5 cm (4 ¾ x 6 ¾ in) to 4 x 3 cm (1 ½ x 1 in); 10 loosely inserted gelatin silver photographs ca. 25 x 20 cm (9 ¾ x 8 in). Over 160 photographs with period print captions on paper labels attached to mounts; over 130 with period ink captions on recto; one photograph with period pencil caption on verso. Period red cloth boards fastened with string; front board with gilt-stamped decorative borders. Boards with cracks on hinges, rear board repaired with tape; mounts slightly rubbed on extremities; a few photos mildly faded, up to 16 images previously removed from album, but overall a very good album.

An interesting collection of original snapshot and studio photographs, documenting the school years of a Native Hawaiian woman, Abigail Leilani Spencer, in the 1940s – 1950s. She was raised on Hawaii (the Big Island), graduating Waimea Intermediate School in 1948, Hawaii Episcopal Academy (now Hawaii Preparatory Academy, Waimea/Kamuela) in 1952, and Cannon’s School of Business (Heald College Honolulu, closed 2024) in 1955. She likely briefly attended the University of Hawaii shortly after attending Hawaii Episcopal Academy.

Abigail Spencer married Joseph A. Rawlins (1934-1965) in 1961 and later married again after she was widowed in 1965. Her second husband was Philip Henry Pharazyn (1917-2009), who worked as a hospital administrator in Hawaii (Kauikeolani Children’s Hospital) and California (Pittsburg Community Hospital). Her father was James Spencer Sr. (1901-1961). “Mr. Spencer was a Territorial Road inspector in 1931 and 1932 for Kona and then joined the County as an overseer of North and South Kohala roads. He was a graduate of St. Louis High School in Honolulu and of Dayton University. A former board member of Hawaii Preparatory Academy [Hawaii Episcopal Academy], he also was the first layman at St. James [Episcopal Church] to receive the Bishop’s Distinguished Service Cross” (Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 8 March 1961, p.4).

Over half of the photographs are portraits of Spencer’s school peers across the years. They are identified in the captions (“Barbara ‘Babs’ Claghorn,” “Nancy Nariko Hokama,” “George Carvalho,” “Benny Kealoha,” etc.). Two photographs show the St. James Episcopal Church and Hawaii Episcopal Academy in Waimea/Kamuela. The Academy was founded in 1949 by the Episcopal Church, and its name changed in 1957 to Hawaii Preparatory Academy. Some photographs also show teaching staff (“Mr. Ernest Nakano – adviser,” “Mr. William Rives,” “Rev. Paul Savanack,” “David P. Coon”). Savanack was the headmaster of Hawaii Episcopal Academy, with Rives and Coon teaching science and history/athletics respectively.

One large photograph shows the graduating class of 1948 of Waimea Intermediate and Elementary, with the compiler present.

Another large photograph shows the graduating class of 1952 of Hawaii Episcopal Academy with the compiler present. Additionally, the album contains an invitation to the graduation ceremony and senior prom of 1952.

Two large photographs show Spencer with fellow female students in front of the women’s residence at the University of Hawaii. There are also several portraits, likely of the residents. Some of the portraits are captioned (“Pricilla Palmer, Guam,” “Janet Hamasaki, Wailuku, Maui,” “Miss Christine Moon, House Mother,” etc.). One photograph is a headshot of “Ethel Wong,” likely used as part of an article in a campus newspaper, according to the caption on the verso. Additionally, there is a small certificate given to Spencer after completing a course at Cannon’s School of Business.

Other photographs show her sister Gwendolyn’s (Gwen) marriage to “Milton Forsythe” and several photographs of the “Ignacio Family.” One large photograph shows the compiler’s father, James Spencer. A series of nine loosely inserted large photographs illustrates a community celebration in Hawaii.

Overall, an interesting collection of original photographs, illustrating the life of school and Christian communities in Hawaii in the late 1940s – 1950s.