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Laurence E. Bulmore Photographs of New Almaden
1979-251
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Title: Laurence E. Bulmore Photographs of New Almaden
Dates: 1880-1939
Collection Number: 1979-251
Creator/Collector:
Bulmore, Laurence E.
Bulmore, Robert R.
Extent: 2.5 linear feet
Online items available
Repository:
History San Jose Research Library
San Jose, California 95112
Abstract: Original glass negatives, prints, and copy prints of New Almaden Quicksilver Mines, taken by Robert R. Bulmore and Dr. S.
E. Winn (1880-1900); as well as later photographs of the filling of New Almaden Reservoir, created in 1936, and accompanying
flooding of Cannon's Summer Resort.
Language of Material: English
Collection is open to the public by appointment with the Curator of Library and Archives. Copy prints may be provided for
viewing instead of original glass negatives.
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions
of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a
photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be "used
for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy
or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution
reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgement, fulfillment of the order would involve violation
of copyright law.
[Identification of item]. Laurence E. Bulmore Photographs of New Almaden. Collection Number: 1979-251. History San Jose Research
Library
The photographs appear to have been donated by Laurence E. Bulmore, Robert Bulmore's son, to the San Jose Historical Museum,
likely in the 1970s. It is unclear which New Almaden records and artifacts had been on loan to the museums between 1952 and
1971, and which may have come after the materials were deeded to the museum.
Biography/Administrative History
According to the Laurence Bulmore's introduction to his and Milton Lanyon's book "Cinnabar Hills: The Quicksilver Days of
New Almaden" (1967), "Very few mining camps of the West were photographed so completely as New Almaden. The greater number
of pictures taken between 1880 and 1912 are the work of Robert Bulmore, mine official and amateur photographer." "Some of
the pictures were taken by Dr. Winn, resident doctor and C. E. Watkins, an itinerant photographer, who traveled throughout
the West with horse and wagon, fully equipped for his trade." Laurence Bulmore donated much of his collection of mining and
agricultural equipment, as well as photographs and mine records, to the San Jose Historical Museum in the 1970s. It subsequently
became part of the History San Jose Collection.
Scope and Content of Collection
Approximately 176 glass negatives and photographic prints, including views of the town of New Almaden (Calif.), schools, houses,
mine buildings, and miners at work in the shafts. Many of these photographs were taken by Laurence Bulmore's father, Robert,
who was manager of the mines between 1892-1900. The later photographs, taken in 1939, likely by Laurence Bulmore, display
New Almaden Reservoir being filled, and the flooding of adjacent Cannon's Summer Resort. According to notes on the photographs,
the Bulmore and Cannon families were close friends.
Mercury mines and mining
New Almaden Mining Company
New Almaden (Calif.)
New Almaden Mines