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Rufus Janvier “Jan” Briscoe Photograph Collection
2017_08  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Descriptive Summary
  • Access
  • Publication Rights
  • Preferred Citation
  • Acquisition Information
  • Biography/Administrative History
  • Scope and Content of Collection
  • Indexing Terms

  • Descriptive Summary

    Title: Rufus Janvier “Jan” Briscoe Photograph Collection
    Dates: 1927-1933
    Collection Number: 2017_08
    Creator/Collector: Briscoe, Rufus Janvier "Jan"
    Extent: 179 photographic prints.
    Repository: Sherman Library and Gardens
    Corona del Mar, California 92625
    Abstract: This collection contains photographs of Newport Beach, Long Beach and Compton, primarily relating to natural disasters, such as fires, floods and earthquakes.
    Language of Material: English

    Access

    Collection is open for research.

    Publication Rights

    Property rights to the physical object belong to the Sherman Library. Literary rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The Sherman Library do not hold the copyright.

    Preferred Citation

    Rufus Janvier “Jan” Briscoe Photograph Collection. Sherman Library and Gardens

    Biography/Administrative History

    R. J. Briscoe was a member of the Newport Beach Fire Department starting in 1931. He retired as Fire Chief.

    Scope and Content of Collection

    This collection contains photographs, primarily of Newport Beach, but also including Long Beach and Compton, California. The bulk of the photographs relate to natural disasters, such as fires, floods and earthquakes. Other subjects of the photographs include dredging of Newport Harbor, Newport Beach Fire Department Engine Company #1, construction of the Newport Harbor west jetty, and hydroplane races.
    Among the more notable images are several documenting the burning and removal of the the schooner Muriel from the entrance to Newport Harbor. Muriel, which was used during the filming of the 1924 silent movie The Sea Hawk, ran aground at the entrance to Newport Harbor in 1925. The wreck was declared a hazard to navigation, and in 1930 the hulk was burned and removed.
    Other notable subjects are the filming of battle scenes of the motion picture All Quiet on the Western Front, damage to Newport Beach, Long Beach and Compton from the 1933 Long Beach earthquake, and fires which destroyed the Rendezvous Ballroom and the Newport Beach Refinery fire.

    Indexing Terms

    Earthquake - Long Beach
    Newport Beach Fire Department
    Newport Beach - Orange County - California
    Long Beach - Los Angeles County - California
    Compton - Los Angeles County - California
    Photographic Prints
    All Quite on the Western Front (motion picture) The Sea Hawk (motion picture)