A guide to the Ted Miles postcard and photograph collection, circa 1900-1967

Shared Collection Box

Series 1. San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, circa 1946-1967

Extent: 85 EA (2 black-and-white silver gelatin postcard prints; 3 color offset lithographic postcard prints; 40 black-and-white acetate negatives, 2.5 x 2.5 in.; 40 black-and-white photographic prints, 3.5 x 3.5 in.)

Language(s): In English.

Scope and Content Note

Contains postcards and photographic material of San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park ships, facilities, and grounds.

Arrangement

Arranged into two Subseries: 1.1: Vessels; 1.2: Facilities.

Subseries 1.1. Vessels, circa 1946-1967

Extent: 82 EA (2 color offset lithographic postcard prints; 40 black-and-white acetate negatives 2.5 x 2.5 in.; 40 black-and-white photographic prints, 3.5 x 3.5 in.)

Language(s): In English.

Scope and Content Note

Includes postcards and photographic material regarding San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park vessels.

Biography/Organization History

The San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park has been the home of many historic vessels, including ALMA (built 1891; scow schooner), BALCLUTHA (built 1886; ship, 3m: museum ship), C. A. THAYER (built 1895; schooner, 3m), EPPLETON HALL (built 1914; paddle tugboat), EUREKA (built 1890; paddle ferry), HERCULES (built 1907; tugboat), and WAPAMA (built 1915, steam schooner).

Arrangement

In order by Item number.

Item No. 05. Eppleton Hall (built 1914; paddle tugboat), 1946-1967

Creator/Collector: Rowlands Gill Women's Institute

Extent: 1 postcard.

Physical Description: Color offset lithographic postcard print, 4.38 x 5.86 in.

Scope and Content Note

Shipbuilding activity on the River Wear with EPPLETON HALL moored in foreground. Partially obscured port bow view. No date, but likely between 1946-1967. Photographed by Rowlands Gill Women's Institute. Postcard published by Durham County Federation of Women's Institutes and printed by Judges Ltd. Hastings. Handwritten personal correspondence on the verso.

Caption: Shipbuilding, River Wear

Item No. 07. Oakland Dock and Warehouse Co., circa 1960-1963

Extent: 1 postcard.

Physical Description: Color offset lithographic postcard print, 3.5 x 5.5 in. Postcard No. 48550

Scope and Content Note

Aerial view of the Oakland Dock and Warehouse Co. at Oakland, California. HELEN H. (cargo vessel) is docked near the center of the print. In the upper right corner, ALMA (built 1891; scow schooner) is moored near the bow of C.A. THAYER (built 1895; schooner, 3m). WAPAMA (built 1915; steam schooner) is behind C.A. THAYER. EUREKA (built 1890; paddle ferry) is moored below, alongside the next pier. Printed text on verso reads: "S.S. 'HELEN H'. 21,000 tons. Largest ore / cargo discharged San Francisco Bay Area. / Oakland Dock and Warehouse Co. / 1401 Middle Harbor Road / Oakland, California TE 2-3147 / Sales Agents / Marine Chartering Co. Inc. / 310 Sansome Street / San Francisco, California / Telephone YUkon 2-8200. Cable: 'Chartering'." Postcard print by Marine Photography, Pier 18, San Francisco, California no. 48550. A piece of clear tape is adhered to the center front of the postcard.

Item No. 12-51. Balclutha (built 1886; ship, 3m: museum ship) docked at Pier 43, San Francisco, California, circa 1959

Extent: 80 EA.

Physical Description: (40) black-and-white negatives, 2.5 x 2.5 in.; (40) black-and-white photographic prints, 3.5 x 3.5 in.

Scope and Content Note

Various views of the vessel at dock at Pier 43, where she was on display following the renovation of 1955. Photographs include deck views: deck house, capstan, and rope; masts and rigging; her figurehead; and views along the hull, stem, and stern. Twelve of the photographs have "Sep 59" printed on the front, one photograph has "Dec 59" printed on the front, and the remaining prints are not labeled with dates.

Item numbers 12-51 represent photographic images, and each item consists of two physical objects: one black-and-white photographic print and one corresponding black-and-white acetate negative. Photographs were placed in chronological order and the corresponding negative was placed with it in the same enclosure, prints separated from negatives by archival paper.

Brief vessel history: BALCLUTHA (built 1886; ship, 3m: museum ship) is one of the last surviving steel-hulled, full-rigged ships. She was involved in the 19th century Pacific Coast grain trade, Pacific Coast lumber trade, 20th century Pacific Coast salmon packing trade, and was a tourist attraction before becoming a museum ship of the San Francisco Maritime Museum in 1954. From 1954-1955, the Maritime Museum restored her to her form when she sailed as the STAR OF ALASKA. She was returned to Pier 43 for display until 1988, when she was moved to the Hyde Street Pier.

For a more detailed history, consult the Historic American Buildings Survey, Engineering Record, Landscapes Survey: Ship BALCLUTHA, 2905 Hyde Street Pier, San Francisco, San Francisco County, CA : http://www.loc.gov/pictures/collection/hh/item/ca1493/. This contains photographs, plans, and an extensive history of the vessel researched by Norman J. Brouwer for her inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places, NRIS Number: 76000178.

References: SHIP BALCLUTHA (Ship Star of Alaska) (Ship Pacific Queen). HAER No. CA-54. Historic American Engineering Record. Accessed on August 24, 2012 from http://lcweb2.loc.gov/pnp/habshaer/ca/ca1400/ca1493/data/ca1493data.pdf

Subseries 1.2. Facilities, circa 1950-1963

Extent: 3 EA (2 black-and-white silver gelatin postcard prints; 1 color offset lithographic postcard print)

Language(s): In English.

Scope and Content Note

Contains images of the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park facilities, including buildings and grounds.

Arrangement

In order by Item number.

Item No. 06. San Francisco Maritime Museum lobby, circa 1950-1959

Extent: 1 postcard.

Physical Description: Black-and-white silver gelatin postcard print, 3.5 x 5.5 in.

Scope and Content Note

Shows exhibits in the Aquatic Park Bathhouse lobby of the San Francisco Maritime Museum, San Francisco, California. In view are a PREUSSEN (built 1902; ship, 5m) ship model, an unidentified ship model, anchor from INDEPENDENCE (built 1814; Man-of-War; U.S. Navy), an unidentified eagle figure, a panel with photographs, figurehead from STAR OF PERU (built 1863; ship, 3m) depicting Lord Robert Clive, and the billethead from COMMERCE (built 1900; schooner, 4m). The walls are covered with a Hilaire Hiler mural. "Maritime Museum / San Francisco" is printed along the right edge of the postcard.

Caption: Maritime Museum / San Francisco

Related Material

See SAFR 8827 for STAR OF PERU figurehead; SAFR 8835 for PREUSSEN (built 1902; ship, 5m) ship model; and SAFR 8832 for COMMERCE (built 1900; schooner, 4m) billethead. INDEPENDENCE (built 1814; Man-of-War; U.S. Navy) anchor loaned under SAFR 8836 was returned to the lender.

See classified photograph collection negatives A10.07450; A10.20948; A10.20949; A10.20951; and A10.20953 for similar views of the Maritime Museum lobby.

Item No. 08. Hilaire Hiler mural, circa 1950-1963

Creator/Collector: Hiler, Hilaire, 1898-1966

Extent: 1 postcard.

Physical Description: Color offset lithographic postcard print, 3.5 x 5.5 in.

Scope and Content Note

Hilaire Hiler mural on the walls of the Aquatic Park bathhouse lobby, part of the San Francisco Maritime Museum, San Francisco, California. The mural depicts an underwater scene featuring brightly colored fish. Postcard by Mike Roberts Color Production, Berkeley 2, California.

Caption: [On verso:] MURAL PAINTING/ MARITIME MUSEUM/ Aquatic Park, San Francisco/ By HILAIRE HILER.

Item No. 09. Aquatic Park bathhouse building, circa 1950

Extent: 1 postcard.

Physical Description: Black-and-white silver gelatin postcard print, 3.5 x 5.5 in.

Scope and Content Note

Exterior view of the east side, which houses the San Francisco Senior Center, as seen from Beach Street, San Francisco, California. Also site of the San Francisco Maritime Museum.

Caption: Senior Recreation Center/ Aquatic Park, San Francisco.

Shared Collection Box

Series 2. Pacific Coast Vessels and Places, circa 1900-1920

Extent: 10 EA (7 color letterpress halftone postcard prints; 1 black-and-white collotype postcard print; 2 black-and-white photographic prints, 3.5 x 5.75 in.)

Language(s): In English.

Scope and Content Note

Contains postcards of various vessels and places on the Pacific Coast, not including material pertaining to San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park (which can be found in Series 1).

Arrangement

Arranged into two Subseries: 1.1: Vessels; 1.2: Places.

Subseries 2.1. Vessels, circa 1900-1920

Extent: 7 EA (4 color letterpress halftone postcard prints; 1 black-and-white collotype postcard print; 2 black-and-white photographic prints, 3.5 x 5.75 in.)

Language(s): In English.

Scope and Content Note

Contains postcards and photographic prints of various types of vessels that are not part of the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park: log rafts, TAHOE (built 1896; passenger vessel), THOMAS (built 1894; transport; U.S. Army), and CITY OF BERKELEY (built 1920; freighter). Locations include: the Columbia River; Lake Tahoe; Pier 12 in San Francisco, California; and Oakland, California.

Arrangement

In order by Item number.

Item No. 01. Tahoe (built 1896; passenger vessel), circa 1911

Creator/Collector: Mitchell, Edward H.

Extent: 1 postcard.

Physical Description: Color letterpress halftone postcard print, 3.5 x 5.5 in.

Scope and Content Note

TAHOE underway on Lake Tahoe, California. Starboard broadside view. Address and correspondence on the verso. Postmarked August 16, 1911. Postcard published by Edward H. Mitchell, San Francisco, California.

Caption: 3071 - Steamer Tahoe, Lake Tahoe, California.

Item No. 03. Log raft on the Columbia River, circa 1900-1920

Extent: 1 postcard.

Physical Description: Color letterpress halftone postcard print, 3.5 x 5.5 in. Postcard No. 521

Scope and Content Note

The log raft is ready for ocean voyage. A riverboat is aft and a tugboat is alongside the raft. A raft cradle is on the right. Address and correspondence on the verso. No postage or postmark. Postcard no. 521 made in Germany.

Caption: Columbia River Log Raft ready for Ocean Voyage. Another raft under construction in background.

Related Material

See classified photograph F05.04991 pl for an additional version of this image.

Item No. 04. Thomas (built 1894; transport; U.S. Army), circa 1910

Creator/Collector: Newman Post Card Co.

Extent: 1 postcard.

Physical Description: Color letterpress halftone postcard print, 3.5 x 5.5 in. Piece of lower right corner missing. Postcard No. V 185

Scope and Content Note

Port bow view of THOMAS docked at the United States Army Transport Dock, Pier no. 12, at San Francisco, California. Address and correspondence on the verso. Postmarked January 18, 1910. Postcard no. V 185 published by Newman Post Card Company and made in Germany.

Caption: United States Transport Dock, San Francisco, California.

Related Material

See classified photograph collection item A12.16743 p for a black-and-white silver gelatin copy print version of this image.

Item No. 10. Log raft cradle, circa 1900-1920

Creator/Collector: Portland Post Card Co.

Extent: 1 postcard.

Physical Description: Color letterpress halftone postcard print, 3.5 x 5.5 in.

Scope and Content Note

View inside a log raft cradle. A crane is lowering a log into the cradle. Three men are in view. Date not stated. Postcard no. 5006 published by Portland Post Card Company and made in Germany.

Caption: Cradle for Ocean-Going Log Raft, Puget Sound, Washington.

Related Material

See classified photograph E17.38644 p for an additional postcard of this image.

Item No. 11. Log raft in the stream, circa 1900-1920

Creator/Collector: Pacific Novelty Co.

Extent: 1 postcard.

Physical Description: Black-and-white collotype postcard print, 3.5 x 5.5 in. Postcard No. X 16

Scope and Content Note

Two men are standing on top of the raft. Two unidentified steamers (a riverboat and a tugboat) are aft of the raft. Date and location not stated. Postcard no. X 16 published by Pacific Novelty Company, San Francisco, and made in Germany.

Caption: Ocean going Log Raft. / 8,000,000 ft. Lumber.

Item No. 52. City of Berkeley (built 1920; freighter), 1919 June 14

Creator/Collector: Parry, Willet

Extent: 1 EA.

Physical Description: Black-and-white photographic print, 3.5 x 5.75 in.

Scope and Content Note

Launching at the Union Construction Company shipyard in Oakland, California. Bow view of the vessel sliding down the ways.

Item No. 53. City of Berkeley (built 1920; freighter), 1919 June 14

Creator/Collector: Parry, Willet

Extent: 1 EA.

Physical Description: Black-and-white photographic print, 3.5 x 5.75 in.

Scope and Content Note

After launching at the Union Construction Company shipyard in Oakland, California. View off the port bow. A towboat is off the bow of the vessel.

Subseries 2.2. Places, circa 1900-1920

Extent: 3 EA (3 color letterpress halftone postcard prints)

Language(s): In English.

Scope and Content Note

Contains one postcard of Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation's Union Plant in San Francisco, California, and two postcards of the Hay Wharf in San Francisco.

Arrangement

In order by Item number.

Item No. 02. Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation's Union Plant at San Francisco, California, circa 1900-1920

Creator/Collector: Cardinell-Vincent Co.

Extent: 1 postcard.

Physical Description: Color letterpress halftone postcard print, 3.5 x 5.5 in. Postcard No. 108387

Scope and Content Note

View as seen from an elevation. Unidentified vessels docked and under construction. On verso: "21 Cardinal Vincent Co., San Francisco, Calif." is printed along left edge and number "108387" is printed at the top center.

Caption: Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation Ltd., Union Plant, San Francisco, Calif.

Item No. 54. Hay Wharf off Third Street, San Francisco, California, circa 1910

Creator/Collector: Pacific Novelty Co.

Extent: 1 EA.

Physical Description: Color letterpress halftone postcard print, 3.5 x 5.5 in. Postcard no. 658

Scope and Content Note

Taken from water side of wharf. At least six schooners are visible in the image drying their sails. Address and correspondence on the verso. Postmarked February 15, 1910. Postcard no. 658 published by Pacific Novelty Company, San Francisco, California

Caption: Drying Sails, San Francisco, Cal.

Item No. 55. Hay Wharf off Third Street, San Francisco, California, circa 1900-1915

Creator/Collector: Mitchell, Edward H.

Extent: 1 EA.

Physical Description: Color letterpress halftone postcard print, 3.5 x 5.5 in. Postcard no. 3001

Scope and Content Note

Taken from the wharf side. A horse-drawn dray and numerous bales of hay are in the foreground. The masts of several schooners are visible. Postcard no. 3001 published by Edward H. Mitchell, San Francisco, California.

Caption: 3001 - Hay and Lumber Schooners, Water Front of San Francisco, California

Collection Contents