Album of San Francisco Views, 1858-1906, bulk ca. 1895-ca. 1905

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Summary

Abstract:
Album of San Francisco street scenes and photographs of civic and commercial buildings prior to the earthquake and fire of 1906. Of particular interest are twenty-three views of San Francisco’s Chinatown.
Extent:
1 album (134 photographic prints) : b&w ; album 24 x 37 cm. 1 digital object (134 items)
Language:
Collection materials are in English

Background

Scope and content:

Chiefly professional or high quality amateur views, with several smaller format snapshots. San Francisco street scenes and photographs of civic and commercial buildings just prior to the destruction of the earthquake of 1906 predominate. Some views are captioned to indicate that they were taken shortly before the April 1906 fires reached the area, and the album may have been compiled as a conscious effort to document the city as it appeared before its destruction. Some images are captioned with historical intent, indicating copy views of images as early as 1858. No views of the devastation of 1906 are present.

Noteworthy subjects include numerous streets of the downtown commercial district, several views from Nob Hill across the city, ships at wharves, the old ferry building (prior to the 1890s), the Presidio and Fort Point, Cliff House, Ocean Beach, Sutro Baths, Sutro Museum, Sutro Gardens, and Golden Gate Park (including the Midwinter Exposition grounds.) Of particular interest are twenty-three views of San Francisco’s Chinatown, in different photographic formats and presumably by various photographers.

The compiler of the album is unknown, and it contains photographs by, R.J. Waters, Pillsbury Picture Co., George A. McDonald, copy prints by T.E. Hecht, and views by many unidentified photographers. Many photographs appear to be early 20th century prints of 19th century views.

Acquisition information:
Library purchase.
Physical location:
Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
Rules or conventions:
Guide prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Location of this collection:
University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft Library
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000, US
Contact:
510-642-6481
bancref-library@berkeley.edu
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