Snap shooting around the Golden Gate International Exposition, 1939

Summary

Creators:

P. T. Glass

Extent:

5 albums (560 photographic prints) 193 digital objects

Language:

Collection materials are in English

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of five albums of black and white photographs taken by P. T. Glass of the Golden Gate International Exposition. The exposition was held from February 18 to October 29, 1939 on Treasure Island to celebrate the recent openings of the Golden Gate and Oakland Bay bridges. More than 10 million people visited the exposition. A reorganized exposition was held on the site May 25 through September 29, 1940.

The photographs in albums 1-4, often humorously titled, were taken between February 18 and October 29, 1939 as Mr. Glass, sometimes accompanied by his wife, parents, and friends, returned repeatedly to the exposition. The views are mostly exterior shots of the various structures, landscaping, and exhibits of the exposition. Exhibits pictured include the Court of the Seven Seas, Sun Tower, Court of the Moon, Sunken Gardens, Court of Reflections, Star Lady, Arch of Triumph, and Court of Flowers. Many architectural features are shown, as well as statues, fruit displays, and some activities such as the Marimba band, and a musical drill by Canadian mounted police.

Album 5 appears to be an album of proofs. These photographs are smaller in size than the photographs in the other albums. Many are duplicates of photographs in the first four albums. Dates and apparent photographer's numbers are written next to the photographs on the album pages. Captions have been supplied for this album in the container listing.

Acquisition information:

Purchased 1991

Rules or conventions:

Finding Aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Location of this collection:

UC Berkeley, Bancroft Library

University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft Library

Berkeley, CA 94720-6000, US

Contact:

510-642-6481

bancref-library@berkeley.edu

Website