The Max Tatch Collection contains photographs, negatives, print materials, correspondence, and ephemera that pertain to Max Tatch’s (1898-1963) professional work as a freelance photographer. He captured mid nineteenth century landscape and architecture in Los Angeles and the surrounding southern California area. The collection’s photographs and documents correspond to photos captured for home and landscaping advertising companies in the 1950s and 1960s. Photographs within the collection also include personal trips to Piercy, Garberville, Willits, California and photographs of Max Tatch. Transparencies and negatives of Tatch’s numerous trips to Europe are also included.

Max Tatch (1898-1963) was a mid–twentieth century landscape and architectural photographer. Though he was born in Edinburgh, he resided in Hollywood, California for the majority of his life. Tatch worked as a free-lance black and white photographer in the surrounding Los Angeles area until his death in 1963. Tatch traveled numerous time to Europe, specifically Spain, Portugal and other countries to pursue photography. Earlier in his life, Tatch introduced his nephew Sid Avery, to photography. Avery later became a successful photographer and director known for capturing Hollywood celebrities in the 1950s and 1960s. Max Tatch was a son of eastern European Jewish parents. He died in Culver City at the age of 64 and is buried at Hillside Memorial Park. Tatch is survived by his great nephew Ronald Avery.

14 Hollinger boxes, 7 linear ft.

This collection is stored on-site at the Central Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library. It is open for research by appointment. Some photograph collections may be browsed, digitally, via the Los Angeles Public Library website at: https://tessa.lapl.org/