Historical Society of Southern California Collection of Portrait Photographs, approximately 1850s-1997, bulk 1860s-1930s

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Summary

Creators:
Historical Society of Southern California
Abstract:
This collection consists of 809 photographs of individual and group portraits, dating from circa 1850s-1997 (bulk 1860s-1930s), that formed part of the Historical Society of Southern California Photo Archives. It is a reference collection and includes images of both prominent and lesser-known Los Angeles and Southern California figures from both the 19th and 20th centuries.
Extent:
809 photographs in 12 boxes (13.92 linear feet)
Language:
English.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists of 809 photographs of individual and group portraits, dating from circa 1850s-1997 (bulk 1860s-1930s), that formed part of the Historical Society of Southern California Photo Archives. It is a reference collection and includes images of both prominent and lesser-known Los Angeles and Southern California figures from both the 19th and 20th centuries.

The collection contains images in a variety of formats that were created by a number of well-known California photographers. These include James B. Blanchard, Boyé, Curtis Studios, George N. Dewey, Edouart and Son, Garden City Foto Co., William M. Godfrey, A.C. Golsh, Hayward and Muzzall, Fred Hartsook, Hiller and Mott, Theodore C. Marceau, Francis Parker (as Parker and Co., Parker and Hasselman, and Parker's Photographic Parlors), Payne Stanton and Co., Henri Penelon, Steve A. Rendall, Frank G. Schumacher, William Shew, John Pitcher Spooner, George Steckel, Isaiah West Taber, William Nutting Tuttle (as Tuttle and Lee, and Tuttle and Co.), O.E. Tyler, Davidson Roby Weaver, Michael A. Wesner, James D. Westervelt (also in partnership with Charles J. Coules), and Valentin Wolfenstein.

The Griggs portraits depict young women in various settings; the Kathryn Murdoch gift is primarily of album pages with snapshots of local sites in Los Angeles.

Biographical / historical:

Founded in 1883, the Historical Society of Southern California (HSSC) is the oldest historical society in California. As part of its mission to collect and preserve Southern California's history, the HSSC amassed a photo archive over many decades. The HSSC shifted its emphasis to programs and publications in the 1980s and, in 1992, the organization donated its photo archive to The Huntington Library.

The Historical Society of Southern California Collection contains approximately 15,000 photographs and negatives focused on Southern California from approximately 1870 to 1980. As such, it is an important visual record of the growth and history of the region. The collection represents a variety of donations made to the Society over many years. It is organized into discrete sub-collections (each with a unique “volume” number) within the overall collection, which is identified by call number photCL 400.

Acquisition information:

Donated by the Historical Society of Southern California in 1992.

The collection, identified by Huntington Library catalogers as "Volume 31," was receieved as part of the Historical Society of Southern California Collection and was compiled from photographs contributed by multiple donors to the HSSC over many years. Includes gifts to the HSSC by Clement Gagliano, Gery Gamero/Dean Witter Reynolds, Estate of Flora B. Houston, Florence M. Kreider, the LaMorie Gift, Gregg Layne, Mrs. J.H. McCarthy, Harry F. Maidenberg, Mrs. Beatrice Sabichi Mitchell, Kathryn Murdock, Frank Rolfe, Leonora Rowland, Chester Rude, and the Sabichi Family.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged alphabetically by sitter, followed by identified groups, unidentified individuals, unidentified groups, miscellaneous images, and publicity photographs. The unidentified images are subdivided by known photographers and unknown photographers. The known photographers are listed alphabetically, with California photographers heading the list.

Following the Container List is a list of all photographers, a list of the cartes-de-visite, and a list of photographs donated by the Sabichi family.

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, please visit the Huntington's website: www.huntington.org.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2129
reference@huntington.org
Website