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Olive Percival Collection of Photographs: Finding Aid
photCL 217  
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Collection Contents

 

Container List

 

Series I. California, Views. approximately 1880-1941

Physical Description: approximately 540 photographs in 6 boxes
Box 1, Sleeves  1-3 (Items 1-57)

Subseries A. San Pedro. approximately 1901-1906

Physical Description: 57 photographs

Photographs depict fishing shacks and fishing boats on Terminal Island and East San Pedro, some with people in the boats or on docks; squatters' huts, subsequently destroyed with the removal of the piers (for example, Item 12); an image of the Old Pilot's House at San Pedro (Item 18); waves breaking on the seashore; and ships in the harbor.
 

Subseries B. Chinatowns, Los Angeles and San Francisco. approximately 1894-1911, 1929

Physical Description: 107 photographs
Box 1, Sleeves  4-8 (Items 58-132)

Los Angeles

Photographs of Chinatown in Los Angeles (Items 58-132) depict parades and festivities including the first Fiesta de Los Angeles (1894) and the Feast of the Dead in Los Angeles (1902); street scenes including views of people and of businesses, such as the the Los Angeles Hay Market (Items 83-84); a glimpse of the Water Department on Marchessault Street (Item 86); the Mon Chong and Company storefront on Apablasa Street, one with Percival's mother in front (Items 102-103); the Guan Sun Company and Chop Suey Café; views of a parade and of Marchessault Street dated 1929 (Items 123-128); and photographs depicting Chinese graves and a Chinese tomb in the Evergreen Cemetery (Items 129-133).
Box 1, Sleeves  9-10 (Items 133-164)

San Francisco

Photographs of Chinatown in San Francisco (Items 133-164) show street scenes with children and adults, New Year's festivities, a fortune teller, a shoemaker, and a Joss House; also included are a few snapshots of other sites including the Cliff House and the ferry, Newark.
 

Subseries C. Olive Percival, House and Garden. approximately 1901-1941

Physical Description: 204 photographs
Box 1, Sleeves  12-16 (Items 173-269), 38-40 (Items 721-749)

House exteriors and garden views

Photographs of the gardens and exterior of Percival's home (Items 173-269 and 721-749) depict all sides of the house, including close-ups of particular features; garden scenes, including views of numerous plants, many in pots, and of Chinese lanterns, parasols, a sundial atop a base with animal imagery and other artwork, pottery, and reflecting pool. Several of the photographs focus on particular plants, including Japanese maples, hyacinths, daisies, camellias, and mullein, identified by Percival in captions on versos, and a few photographs feature cats. One photograph shows Percival in the garden (Item 191), and one depicts Percival's windmill in the background (Item 194).
Box 1, Sleeves  17-20 (Items 270-347)

House interiors and artifacts

Photographs of the interior of Percival's home (Items 270-347) depict various rooms and feature bookshelves loaded with books, artwork, furniture, potted plants and flowers in vases, tables covered with silver bowls and decanters, musical instruments, and candles.
Box 1, Sleeves  21-22 (Items 348-394)

Subseries D. Los Angeles, Cemeteries, Views.approximately 1902-1903, 1922

Physical Description: 47 photographs

The photographs depict the Calvary Cemetery at Buena Vista and North Broadway, the Fort Hill Cemetery, and the San Gabriel Mission Cemetery; most are dated 1922. A few photographs depict the tomb of Dr. Richard Den, who had served as chief physician and surgeon for Mexican forces in the Mexican American war treating Californios and American prisoners from 1821-1895 and then practiced medicine in Los Angeles; and nearby graves (Items 348-351). Other graves depicted include Maria F. M. De Abila (Item 352); Antonio Coronel, who served as mayor of Los Angeles from 1853-1854 and owned Rancho Los Feliz, now Griffith Park (Items 353-354); and the tombs of Jose Sepulveda and Pio Pico (Items 365-369). Percival's caption for the Garnier burial plot describes its "lovely design/iron fence," and one photograph of Coronel's tomb shows an adjacent oil well (Item 353).
Box 1, Sleeves  11 (Items 165-172), 41-42 (Items 750-752, 754-755), Box 2 Item 753

Subseries E. Miscellaneous Views. approximately 1894-1927

Physical Description: 13 photographs

Includes photographs depicting Mission San Luis Rey; Pershing Square; the home of Margaret Fowler, who was one of Percival's best friends (Items 169-170); the Friday Morning Club House (Item 171); and Percival on horseback with a woman in Eaton's Canyon, July 4, 1894. Also includes photographs of a man and boy in San Gabriel, a house in which Percival stayed in San Francisco, a girl reading on a porch in Los Angeles, two portraits of a young Percival, dressed up for parties, one of which has a long caption on verso by Percival (Items 750-752, 754-755); and one photograph of Percival with her mother (Box 2, Item 753).
 

Subseries F. Various People and Locations. approximately 1880-1930

Bulk dates: approximately 1897-1903

Physical Description: approximately 110 photographs

Includes chiefly photographs depicting various locations in the city and county of Los Angeles and environs, taken chiefly by Percival; and studio and other portraits of people taken chiefly by commercial photographers. Most of these photographs contain captions written on versos by Percival. The items in this subseries were originally separated from the collection at an earlier unknown date. The Conservation Department treated many of these photographs in the early 1990s, removing them from cardboard stock and rehousing in sleeves.
 

Los Angeles and Various California Locations

Box PhotPF 3714-3849

PhotPF 3714-3849

photPF 3714-3718

Missions San Luis, San Luis Obispo, and San Fernando [Some, possibly all, by O. Percival]. Approximately 1899.

photPF 3720

El Molino Before Huntington bought it. [Old Mill in San Marino, Calif.]. Approximately 1897.

photPF 3721

Old Temperance Temple N.W., Cor. of B'way & Temple. Approximately 1897.

photPF 3722a-3722c

Roderick Burnham, Mrs. Fred A. Burnham, Baby Bruce Burnham, On the Porch, Lincoln Park, abt. 1897 [Woman seated and holding baby; young boy standing nearby]. Approximately 1897.

photPF 3722d

Roderick Burnham and Cousin, Lincoln Park, abt. 1897 [Two boys astride ponies on a dirt road]. Approximately 1897.

photPF 3723

N.W. Corner of Temple & Buena Vista, Los Angeles. Yellow Adobe, Yard full of Calendulas.

photPF 3724

Picnic for Gertrude McCormick in Millard's Canyon. 1895

photPF 3725a-b

San Gabriel [William Money adobe]. Approximately 1897.

photPF 3726

San Gabriel Anti Gringo Cactus Hedge. Approximately 1897.

photPF 3727a-c

Valencia [adobe], San Gabriel. 1903.

photPF 3728-3729

Mr. E.N. Owen said these were the offices (2) of a sanitarium – long ago pre-Boom days. [William Money adobe].

photPF 3730

Carmel, Pine on shore. 1930.

L.S. Slevin, photographer. In Percival's hand: "Fr. Mrs. C.D. Allen, Easter, 1930."
photPF 3731

Jail, Ventura.

photPF 3732

La Jolla. 1912.

By Edgar Baruch.
photPF 3733

Yucca palm near Lancaster, called "Bow and Arrow."

photPF 3734

Guajome. [Central courtyard of adobe rancho].

photPF 3735 a-d

S[anta] Margarita Rancho, 80,000 acres [Views of various buildings, porches, courtyards]. 1899.

photPF 3736-3739

Views of San Pedro coastline and jetty. Approximately 1880-1890.

photPF 3740-3746

Mission San Juan Capistrano and unidentified missions.

photPF 3747-3749

Unidentified mission doorway. 1896-1897.

photPF 3750-3751

Chapel of the Angels, [San Gabriel]. Approximately 1900.

photPF 3752

Old St. Charles [Hotel], Los Angeles.

photPF 3753

[View across fountain to Pico House or National Hotel, Plaza, Los Angeles]. 1896-1897.

photPF 3754

All Saints [large concrete building in a field].

photPF 3755

Old Lugo Home with round windows [Plaza, Los Angeles].

photPF 3756a

[Looking across Plaza to Plaza Church, Los Angeles].

photPF 3756b

[Plaza Church, Los Angeles], by Winnie. Banning house on hill.

photPF 3757-3758

[Three exterior views of Plaza Church, Los Angeles]. Approximately 1898-1899.

photPF 3758a

"Winnie took this Before she was ? (1890). (L.A. High Tower)" Approximately 1899.

photPF 3759

Lily ? was with me c. 1896, Old Fire Engine Home on S.W. Corner of Plaza – once owned by Senora Mercedes Abbott. Approximately 1896.

photPF 3760

[Los Angeles City Hall and Courthouse building], 1893. Torn down 1937.

photPF 3761

Wolfskill Place, abt. 1897. O such a hot day! [Porch at Wolfskill adobe, Los Angeles]. Approximately 1897.

photPF 3762

San Fernando Street North of Plaza. [Two duplicate views of woman standing in front of dilapidated adobe].

photPF 3763a-c

[Three views of house. Rectory North of Plaza Church, Los Angeles]. Approximately 1896.

photPF 3764

Stockton's Headquarters, Olvera Street.

photPF 3765

Fremont's [Detail view of residence of Jessie Benton Fremont, West 28th and Hoover Streets, Los Angeles].

photPF 3766

Cooper's [Cooper's Ranch. View of twin palms].

photPF 3767

[First La Fiesta event in Los Angeles. Chinese parade]. 1894

photPF 3768

Los Angeles City Hall. Approximately 1902.

photPF 3769

Friday Morning Club, Woman's Club House, Edith Simpson's ? [ View of porch with woman standing in the shadows]. 1906.

Box PhotPF 3930-4039

PhotPF 3930-4039

photPF 3930

Dr. Judge O.L. Livesey of Fairmont. [Adobe house at Elizabeth Lake].

photPF 3931-3933

Catalina Island. Approximately 1896.

Photographs of barracks, Johnson's Landing, and landscape.
photPF 3935

Old Spring St. School, Los Angeles. January 4, 1891.

Photograph by J. B. Blanchard. Signed on back by Edna Percival, 4 January 1891. [Group portrait of students and teacher seated on school steps.
photPF 3937

Flower Festival Society Boarding House, 25 East 4th St., Los Angeles [Group of women posed in house with all sitters, including Oliver Percival, identified on back]. March 26, 1890.

photPF 3938

Chrysanthemum Fair, Los Angeles. 1891.

"(First one) in garden next to new Simpson Auditorium. Went with Minnie Sullivan. Every variety we liked and such poetic manner!"
photPF 3939

The "Round House" west side of Main Street between 3rd and 4th [Los Angeles]. Next south was a 3 story, female rooming house, a yellow barn-like building, very ugly. The fashionable name was The Mikado in 1887. Before 1897.

photPF 3940-3943

Collection of Indian baskets of Mrs. Belle Jewett, Lamanda Park. "Now owned by the L.A. Chamber of Commerce. Used in my article for Demorest's."

photPF 3944-3945

Indian baskets of W.D. "Campbell – the-Curio-Man. Used in my article for Demorest's." Lemuel S. Ellis, photographer.

photPF 3946-3948

Indians in San Diego County.

C.B. Waite, photographer. "12/26/12 From Mr. J.G. Mossin[?]"
photPF 3950-3955

San Juan Capistrano [Views of women touring the buildings at the mission; one picture of "Father O'Keefe."]. Before 1899.

12/12/12 from Mrs. J.G. Mossin[?].
photPF 3956

San Luis Rey Mission Rededicated May 12, 1893. C.B. Waite, photographer.

#107. "12/26/12 From Mr. J.G. Mossin[?]"
photPF 3957

Cactus Garden.

"12/26/12 From Mr. J.G. Mossin[?]."
photPF 3966

Raymond Hotel, Pasadena. Photo by Jarvis, Pasadena.

 

Studio and other portrait photographs

Box PhotPF 3850-3929

PhotPF Box 3850-3929

photPF 3900-3909

Studio portrait photographs annotated by Olive Percival.

Sitters include: Leland Stanford; Robert Louis Stevenson; George Steckel; E.C. Holloway; William Mead; William H. Bonsall; John Gilmore.
photPF 3910-3919

Studio portrait photographs annotated by Olive Percival.

Sitters include: James Matthew Barrie; Julia Bracken Wendt; Kate Fowler; Mary L. Jones; Margaret Fowler; Jordon Lummis; Rachel Burer; Elizabeth Waggoner.
photPF 3920-3929

Studio portrait photographs annotated by Olive Percival.

Sitters include: Florence Dunham; Frederick Russell Burnham; Princess Philip of Saxe Coburg; H.M. Queen of the Belgians; Theodore Parker; William Cullen Bryant; Lucretia Mott; H.I.M. The Empress Frederick; E.M. Fowler.
photOV 10,959

Portrait of Ellen Beach Yaw.

 

Series II. Mexico, Views. 1899

Physical Description: 326 photographs in 15 sleeves
 

Subseries A. Mexico City, Various Views.

Physical Description: 157 photographs
Box 1, Sleeves  23-25 (Items 395-459)

Markets

Contains photographs depicting various markets including the Flower Market, with people and elaborate wreaths (Items 395-406); the Thieves' Market, with wares spread out on the plaza and images of sellers (Items 417-421); San Juan Market and the Market at San Cosme (Items 426-427); and the market at Viga Canal, featuring marketgoers among sellers in boats loaded with produce (Items 433-459).
Box 1, Sleeve  26 (Items 460-484)

Mexico City Cathedral and various buildings

Images include Cathedral exteriors and close-ups of various features, people on streets and at Mexico City Plaza, and one photograph of the Hotel Comonfort, where Percival stayed (Item 484).
Box 1, Sleeves  27-28 (Items 485-528)

Street scenes and people

Includes photographs depicting people on village and city streets; market scenes; buildings, including a hotel, a barber shop, and a general store; houses and alleyways; women with children; and people selling food, including a man selling bananas to people in a streetcar (Item 522).
Box 1, Sleeve  30 (Items 548-570)

Courtyard

Includes photographs depicting people in an unidentified courtyard and on stairs and balconies in surrounding buildings, and preparations for a feast.
 

Subseries B. Mexico, Other Views.

Physical Description: 169 photographs
Box 1, Sleeve  29 (Items 529-547)

Churches

Includes photographs depicting exteriors of the Church of Remedios, Church of the Profeta, and others, some with people outside; and an interior view of the Church of Jesus, where, as Percival notes in a caption, Hernando Cortes was buried for a while (Item 535).
Box 1, Sleeve  31 (Items 571-587)

Rural scenes

Photographs depict people on village streets; a sugar production facility, with cones of sugar (Item 571); men with animals by railroad tracks and on a railroad platform in Zacatecas; and people waiting for a streetcar.
Box 1, Sleeves  32-37 (Items 588-720)

Various towns and regions

Photographs depict a church and people in Juarez (Items 588-594); a market and alameda in Toluca (Items 595-600); views of Guadalupe and one of Guadalajara; also depictions of interiors of the Shrine of Guadalupe in Mexico City (Items 601-617); Teotihuacan, including trips to the Pyramid of the Moon and the Pyramid of the Sun, featuring people on trails and at the pyramids, excavation sites, and a tour guide (Items 618-656); a place identified in captions a "Sant' Angel" and also as "S Angel," possibly referring to San Ángel in Mexico City (Items 657-658); and images of Tacubaya, with depictions of the Day of the Dead and of Judas images (Items 679-695). Images also include depictions of people and sites in other towns including a church interior with Christmas decorations and indigenous people's huts in Vera Cruz (696-698, 700); a prison on an island of San Juan de Ulua opposite Santa Cruz (Item 699); jewelry and market stalls and a convent in Texcoco (Items 700-703); scenes in Tlaxcala, including the oldest pulpit in America in a church there and market scenes (Items 704-708); a plaza and fisher's hut in Patzcuaro (709-710); and scenes of church yards, markets, a public laundry, and a feast day in Azcapotzalco, Chalco, Cuernavaca, Coyoacan, Jalapa, Tacuba, and Mitla (Items 711-720).