This artificial collection consists of 726 lantern slides documenting significant San Francisco events including the Midwinter Fair of 1894, the 1906 Earthquake and Fire, and Panama-Pacific International Exposition of 1915. There are an extensive amount of exterior shots of San Francisco’s public schools after the 1906 Earthquake. The collection of lantern slides was assembled by San Francisco Public Library over the years from donations. The first donation of lantern slides was presented as a bequest from Dr. Louis J. Sawyer in 1935. Most of the slides are black and white but some are hand-colored and date circa 1890s - 1940s. Some lantern slides have the photographer, publisher or collector noted on the slide and has been incorporated into the finding guide. The photographers include Gabriel Moulin, Cardinell-Vincent, I. W. Taber and H.T. Henning. The collectors include Dr. Louis J. Sawyer and the publishers include George Kanzee and C. R. Skinner Manufacturing Co..

9 boxes (726 lantern slides). See itemized list under "Additional Collection Guides"

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.

The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center’s Photo Desk hours.