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Finding Aid for the Pacific Photo Club records, 1900-1955; Bulk, 1910-1935
784
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Title: Pacific Photo Club records
Date (inclusive): 1900-1955; Bulk, 1910-1935
Collection number: 784
Creator:
Bunn, George R., 1872-1956
Extent:
6 document boxes (3.6 linear ft.)
6 shoeboxes
Abstract: The records consist primarily of black-and-white photographs created by members of the Pacific Photo Club, an organization
of amateur photographers active during the first three decades of the 20th century. The collection was accumulated by George
R. Bunn, a member, and the majority of the photographs represent his work. Also included are club correspondence, personal
correspondence, newsletters, photographic postcards, and albums representing the work of members.
Language: Finding aid is written in
English.
Language of the Material:
Materials are in English.
Repository:
University of California, Los Angeles. Library Special Collections.
Los Angeles, California 90095-1575
Physical location: Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact UCLA Library Special Collections
for paging information.
Open for research. STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact UCLA Library
Special Collections for paging information.
Restrictions on Use and Reproduction
Property rights to the physical object belong to the UC Regents. Literary rights, including copyright, are retained by the
creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright
owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.
Processed by Lena Hicks and Licia Hurst in 2012 with assistance from Jillian Cuellar and Megan Fraser.
[Identification of item], Pacific Photo Club records (Collection Number 784). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E.
Young Research Library, UCLA.
The Pacific Photo Club was an organization of amateur photographers across the United States active from the early 1900s through
at least the 1930s. In addition to U.S. photographers, some participants hailed from Japan, Australia, and other areas.
The collection was accumulated by George R. Bunn, who lived in Los Angeles and who appears to have been an active member of
the photo club.
Members corresponded by mail, exchanging photographs and assembling annotated group albums. The club also organized trips,
such as camping expeditions to Yellowstone and Palm Springs, during which they practiced their avocation, and later exchanged
these photos.
The Pacific Photo Club was one of many such camera and photo societies that emerged at the beginning of the 20th century for
amateur photographers seeking to enhance their technique and the artistic quality of their images. A number of the photographers
in this collection had their work published in amateur photography magazines, including
Popular Photography and
American Photography, among them E. A. Doolittle, Arthur Van W. Eltinge, C. A. Heald, J. W. Jeffers, P. Benson Oakley, G. W. Schinkel, and Elizabeth
B. Wotkyns.
Other similar titles from the era include
Anthony's Photographic Bulletin,
The Photographic Times,
The American Amateur Photographer,
The Photo Beacon,
Camera Notes,
Camera and Darkroom,
Photographic Topics, and
Popular Photography.
In addition to submitting photos for publication, and in some cases commentary, subscribers to these publications would post
classified-style ads requesting exchange. For example, the following appeared in American Photography, Vol. 9 (January - December
1915):
"507. George R. Bunn. 1571 W. First St., Los Angeles, Calif. 3) 4 x 5Y2 prints, all kinds D. O. P. of California mountain
and marine scenery to exchange for artistic scenery preferred."
The collection consists primarily of black-and-white photographs created by members of the Pacific Photo Club. The bulk of
the images appear to have been taken by George R. Bunn. Also included are club correspondence, personal correspondence, newsletters,
photographic postcards, and albums representing the work of members.
The majority of photographs were taken in the U.S., though some were shot in locations as far away as Japan, India, Australia,
and Europe. Subjects include landscapes, people, street scenes, historic landmarks, civic events (e.g., parades, rodeos, car
shows, and festivals), and artistic still lifes. The bulk of the subjects are nature related, with many photos of the American
West, including national parks and forests. The images also provide insight into the fashions of the times, in particular
women’s hiking garb.
The albums compiled by members, with their attendant correspondence, document the procedures and function of this photo club.
Arranged in the following series:
- Series 1: Photographs, 1907-1955
- Subseries 1.1: Albums
- Subseries 1.2: Loose photographs
- Subseries 1.3: Grouped photographs
- Series 2: Correspondence, circa 1913-1921
- Subseries 2.1 Bunn, George R.: Personal correspondence, circa 1918-1921
- Subseries 2.2. Bunn, George R.: Club-related correspondence, circa 1913-1921
- Series 3: Publications, 1901-1903
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Pacific Photo Club --Archives.
Photographs.