The collection consists of 70 panoramic negatives, 3207 copy prints, and corresponding negatives and interpositives, covering the years 1924-1948. The images depict specific places, businesses, and commercial activity in both central and southern California, with the emphasis on Los Angeles County. The collection provides a broad overview of the commercial landscape of the area during the first half of the twentieth century.

The "Dick" Whittington Studio was the largest photography studio in the Los Angeles area from 1924 to 1987. Founded by Wayne Whittington, the Studio specialized in commercial photography, taking photographs for nearly every major business and organization in Los Angeles; in so doing, they documented the growth and commercial development of Los Angeles. The Studio’s clients included department stores, oil companies, real estate developers, food service companies, television and radio broadcast companies, automobile manufacturers and related industries, aircraft manufacturers, construction firms, and the entertainment industry. They also photographed the 1932 Olympics and the National Air Races of 1933 and 1936. Another notable client was the University of Southern California, which contracted with the Whittington Studios for coverage of athletic and other events.

38 boxes, 30.16 linear feet

All requests for permission to publish photographs must be submitted in writing to the Curator of Photographs. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Huntington as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.