[San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906] Photographer Unknown

Effect of Earthquake + Fire on San Francisco, Apr. 18/06. [Series of Thirty-One Original Photographs Taken by an Unknown Photographer]

San Francisco: 1906. Thirty-one silver gelatin prints, measuring 4 x 3 inches, with four accompanying sheets measuring 8 x 5 ½ inches identifying the images. Also included is the original envelope to an illegible recipient, or possibly crediting the images. Fading to images else about fine, very good minus overall. Item #List821

Many photographers, amateur and professional alike, took to the streets of San Francisco to document devastation caused by the earthquake and subsequent fire of 1906. Collected here are thirty-one images taken by one such photographer - likely an amateur based on the image quality and perspectives. What is unusual about the collection here is that the photographer took meticulous notes on each image, and the images as found in a (rather illegible) envelope included several sheets explaining the location of each image. The photographer travelled through most of downtown, with varied locations represented. The title is likely misleading, as the fire raged for several days and the pictures were likely taken several days after the 18th of April. The envelope has the name “Mrs H. Thof illegible],” which suggests that perhaps the photographer was a woman, or possibly that these were given to the same as a gift by another photographer. Overall a scarce survival of images, of which we find no other copies.

Price: $1,500.00