Collection contains photographs and papers created by professional San Francisco photographer V. M. Hanks Jr from the 1940s until the late 1980s. The photographs include both negatives and photographic prints created by Hanks beginning with his role as U.S. Marine's photographer and traces the trajectory of his career as a hotel photographer and significant general San Francisco photographer. The bulk of the collection consists of black and white photographic prints and transparencies, as well as a scrapbook, correspondence, newspaper clippings and publications, the bulk of which feature or include photographs of and by Hanks. Photographs document visits to San Francisco by heads of state, public officials and royalty from several countries during the 1940s through the 1960s. In the 1970s – 1980s, there is photographic documentation of numismatic events at the old San Francisco Mint.

Virgil McKnight Hanks, Jr. was born in Decatur, Illinois, on April 17, 1921 to Marie Gladys Batemen and Earl Hanks. He attended Eureka College in Eureka, Illinois. Hanks enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in August 1942 and became a sergeant and combat photographer in January 1943. Hanks saw action at Guadalcanal. While recovering from malaria at a military hospital in Klamath Falls, Oregon, he met Nadine Palmerton, who was a reporter for a newspaper in Klamath Falls. The couple married on June 29, 1947 in Oregon and moved to San Francisco, California as newlyweds.

(3 cartons, 21 shoeboxes and 2 oversize boxes) (approximately 1,000 photographic prints and 17,000 negatives) 15 Linear Feet

Copyright retained by V.M. Hanks Jr. family. 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 Photo Desk hours.