Collection comprises daguerreotypes, primarily portraits, and also views of cities, towns, and mining areas in California taken between 1839 and 1870. Most daguerreotypes are portraits of early California families and pioneers, such as Maria Paula Rosalia Vallejo Leese and John Augustus Sutter. The collection also contains a seven part, framed panoramic view of San Francicso taken in 1851 and street views of California towns such as Diamond Springs (El Dorado County), Iowa Hill (Placer County), and the Oak Valley House (Yuba County). Images documenting California's Gold Rush are also featured in this collection, including a view of the Madomak Fluming and Mining Company (Yuba County), and a group portrait of Gold Rush era miners. The collection also features unique examples of the format including a stereoscopic view daguerreotype patented by John F. Mascher, and rare encasements such as union cases and ornately designed cases with mother of pearl inlays. The collection holds examples of work from daguerreotypists practicing across the United States, including the following daguerreotypists who had studios in San Francisco: Robert H. Vance, William J. Shew, John Macdonough Ford and Charles F. Hamilton.