Artifact of the Month: January 2019

The Alaska Sportsman

In 1935 as the Great Depression gripped the world, a group of outdoor enthusiasts in Ketchikan launched The Alaska Sportsman, a magazine focused on sharing first-hand stories of the Territory of Alaska. The publication was intended for and dependent upon a national audience for success. The January 1935 issue had a circulation near 1,000 and sold for 15 cents. No one thought it would survive. The first year was rocky - only six issues of the projected twelve were published, and many of the enthusiastic founders slipped away.

Emery Tobin emerged as editor and principal shareholder of the magazine. When it became clear that subscriptions and newsstand sales wouldn't pay the bills, Emery and his wife, Clara, started Alaska Specialties Company to sell books, maps, curios, etc. through the magazine and directly to tourists visiting Ketchikan. They didn't get rich, but they got by - and the magazine put out an issue every month and steadily grew.

The Tobins sold the magazine to Robert Henning of Juneau in 1958. It continued to grow and, after a few more changes in ownership, and after 84 years of publication, it carries on today as Alaska magazine.

Ketchikan Museums: Tongass Historical Society Collection, THS 66.11.1.2