I often stumble across interesting websites in my book research, and one I’ve returned to a number of times over the years is the Alaskan Heritage Bookshop website, which sells Alaskan books, Alaskan art, vintage Alaskan memorabilia and photographs, and much more. Based in Juneau, the site bills itself as “The Museum of Alaska History Where Everything is for Sale.” And priceless for history buffs, the photos and descriptions remain on the site after the items are sold!
I shared some fascinating horse snowshoes in a 2016 post at my Northern Light Media website, and there are lots of other interesting items to be found at the Alaskan Heritage Bookshop. One such item is an advertising card from Leonhard Seppala’s kennels in Nome, Alaska. This business card was apparently mailed to Carl Lomen, known as the “Reindeer King of Alaska” and one of the famous Lomen Brothers whose numerous photographs recorded early Alaskan history. The card features Seppala’s favorite lead dog, Togo, described as “the champion trophy winner of Alaska.” The card was sold; the listing price for this historic gem was $750.00.
Another great item, also sold, is an original postcard of Seppala’s leader “Togo” signed by Leonhard Seppala himself.
There’s also a rare first edition of Elizabeth Ricker’s book, “Leonhard Seppala, Alaskan Dog Driver,” with a grand photo of “Togo with his cups,” an original 1929 photograph of Leonhard Seppala and Elizabeth Ricker, a postcard of the “Seppala Siberians” of New England musher Charles Belford in their kennel trailer, and Belford’s 2005 obituary from The Boston Globe.
There are some wonderful vintage sled dog books in another section, including both an original signed copy and reprints of the very rare “Holy Grail” of sled dog books, “Togo’s Fireside Reflections.” Also available are titles such as “Dog Team Doctor,” “Baldy of Nome,” “Alaska Trail Dogs,” and “Scotty Allan: King of the Dog-Team Drivers.”
The Alaskan Heritage Bookshop is a delightful online museum/bookstore to spend some time browsing through, and if you find something you like for sale—and can afford the pricetag—you can buy it!