Daguerreotype Collection
Content Description
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.
Dates
- 1839-1870
Language of Materials
Collection material is in English.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Materials in this collection, which were created between 1839 and 1870, are in the public domain in the United States. Permission to publish or reproduce is not required.
Extent
4.23 linear feet (7 oversize letter document boxes)
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Contact reference librarian for information.
- Cities and towns -- California -- Pictorial works
- Cityscape photographs -- California -- San Francisco
- Daguerreotypes
- Gold miners -- California -- Pictorial works
- Gold mines and mining -- California -- Pictorial works
- Panoramic photographs
- Pioneers -- California -- Pictorial works
- Portraits
- Union cases
- Title
- Finding Aid to the Daguerreotype Collection
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Jaime Henderson
- Date
- August 2019
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Repository Details
Part of the California Historical Society Repository