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Finding Aid to the Photographs from the Walter S. Johnson Papers, circa 1870-circa 1975
BANC PIC 2012.103  
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Collection Details
 
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  • Collection Summary
  • Information for Researchers
  • Administrative Information

  • Collection Summary

    Collection Title: Photographs from the Walter S. Johnson papers
    Date (inclusive): circa 1870-circa 1975
    Collection Number: BANC PIC 2012.103
    Collector: Johnson, Walter S.
    Extent: 3 boxes, 3 oversize folers, 3 albums (circa 1,100 photographic prints, including 2 tintypes), 4 framed photographs, 67 negatives and 1 cased photograph : b&w and color ; 53 x 43 cm or smaller.
    Repository: The Bancroft Library.
    University of California, Berkeley
    Berkeley, CA 94720-6000
    Phone: (510) 642-6481
    Fax: (510) 642-7589
    Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
    URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/
    Languages Represented: Collection materials are in English

    Information for Researchers

    Access Information

    NITRATE NEGATIVES CLOSED TO RESEARCH DUE TO HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RESTRICTIONS.
    FRAMED PHOTOGRAPHS AND AMBROTYPE RESTRICTED. Use of framed and cased photographs only by permission of the appropriate curator. Inquiries regarding these materials should be directed, in writing, to the Head of Public Services, The Bancroft Library.
    COLLECTION STORED, IN PART, OFF-SITE: Advance notice required for use.

    Preferred Citation

    [Identification of item], Photographs from the Walter S. Johnson Papers, BANC PIC 2012.103, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley

    Indexing Terms

    The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog
    Johnson, Walter Samuel--1884-1978--Archives.
    Box making--California--Photographs.
    Photograph albums.

    Administrative Information

    Gift ; of Walter S. Johnson Foundation ; 2011.

    Biography/Organization History

    Walter S. Johnson (1884-1978) was a businessman and philanthropist based in San Francisco, California. An early partner in the Stockton Box Corporation, he helped to develop the company into the American Box Corporation, which later became the American Forest Products Corporation. He also helped establish the Friden Calculuating Machine Company (Friden, Inc.). In 1959 Johnson donated $2 million for the preservation of the Palace of Fine Arts, and continued to support the Palace financially for the rest of his life. In tribute, the city named the surrounding grounds the Walter S. Johnson Park. In 1968 Johnson established the Walter S. Johnson Foundation to support his various philanthropic interests.

    Scope and Content Note

    Includes formal portrait photographs and snapshots of Walter S. Johnson; his family, friends and other associates; and events pertaining to his business and philanthropic pursuits. Also includes photograph albums pertaining to Johnson's early career as a lawyer and partner in the Stockton Box Corporation; to his leadership of the American Box Corporation; and to the Panama Pacific International Exposition. Some material depicts logging, lumbering and other aspects of wooden box manufacturing. Also includes other photographs depicting P.P.I.E. and the Palace of Fine Arts, as well as portraits of architect Bernard Maybeck. Ambrotype depicts Alfred A. Johnson, father of Walter S. Johnson.