Robert Durden Color Slide Collection
Finding aid created by San Francisco History Center staff using RecordEXPRESS
San Francisco Public Library. San Francisco History Center
2023
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, California 94102
(415) 557-4567
sfhistory@sfpl.org
http://sfpl.org/sfhistory
Title: Robert Durden Color Slide Collection
Dates: 1950-1995
Collection Number: SFP 42
Creator/Collector:
Durden, Robert
Extent: 65,000 photographic slides
Online items available
Repository:
San Francisco Public Library. San Francisco History Center
San Francisco, California 94102
Abstract: Collection consists of over 65,000 35mm color slides documenting San Francisco buildings, events and locations between 1950
and early 1990s. The bulk of the collection is from the 1980s to the early 1990s and documents the architectural features
of San Francisco. The majority of the color slides were shot by Robert Durden, a San Francisco native and volunteer at the
San Francisco Public Library.
Language of Material: English
The collection is available for use during Photo Desk hours.
All requests for permission to publish from photographs must be submitted in writing to the Photo Curator. Permission for
publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
[Identification of item]. Robert Durden Color Slide Collection. Collection Number: SFP 42. San Francisco Public Library. San
Francisco History Center
Gift. 1990s.
Biography/Administrative History
Robert Talbot Durden was born on July 11, 1918 to Leon Henry Durden and May Talbot Durden in San Francisco, California. Durden
grew up in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood and attended Polytechnic High School. Durden worked as a clerk for utility companies
and retired in the early 1980s. As an amateur photographer, Durden photographed the architectural features of San Francisco
buildings. During his retirement, Durden volunteered in the San Francisco History Room of the Old Main Library. In the early
1990s, Durden presented color slide lectures on the architecture of San Francisco. Durden died on September 21, 2001 in San
Francisco, California.
Scope and Content of Collection
Collection consists of over 65,000 35mm color slides documenting San Francisco buildings, events and locations between 1950
and early 1990s. The bulk of the collection is from the 1980s to the early 1990s and documents the architectural features
of San Francisco. The majority of the color slides were shot by Robert Durden, a San Francisco native and volunteer at the
San Francisco Public Library. A few local photographers (such as Michael Lampen and Charles Lodge) have been incorporated
into the collection and the photographer is noted on the original slide. The slides have handwritten notes about location
and / or subject. The date on the slide is the photo processing date and / or the date added by the photographer.
Architecture -- California -- San Francisco
Historic buildings -- California -- San Francisco -- Pictorial works
Commercial buildings -- California -- San Francisco -- Photographs.
San Francisco (Calif.) -- Buildings, structures, etc.
Slides -- Color --1950-1960
Slides -- Color --1960-1970
Slides -- Color --1970-1980
Slides -- Color --1980-1990
Slides