The Eugene Swarzwald Pictorial California and the Pacific Collection consists of 9,674 black and white photographs, negatives, a photograph album, magazine mock-ups, letters, and ephemera acquired between 1925 and 1968 by Eugene Swarzwald and the Swarzwald family for considered use in the magazine Pictorial California and the Pacific. Images depict California and the West with some coverage of the rest of the United States and international destinations. The collection contains photographs depicting general city views of communities in California, scenic views of wilderness areas, images of parks, schools and universities, museums, and points of historic interest (including California mining towns and missions). The collection is strong in subjects related to leisure and social and recreational activities, with particular emphasis on hotels, golf courses and country clubs, amusement parks, zoos, and beaches. Many of the photographs are by the Keystone Photo Service, a company founded by Eugene Swarzwald in Los Angeles in 1919. Other photographers in the collection are Chuck Abbott, Adelbert Bartlett, Lionel T. Berryhill, Lil and Al Bloom, Hal Boucher, Campbell-Ricco-Mazzuchi Photography, Caroll Photo Service, Garth Chandler, Walter J. Collinge, Fairchild Aerial Surveys, George O. Fales, Frasher's, J.P. Graham, Dean Hesketh Company, Charles M. Hiller, Pat and G.E. Kirkpatrick, Don Knight, Albert J. Kopec, Ward Linton, Lothers and Young, Hubert A. Lowman, David M. Mills, Don Milton, Gabriel Moulin Studios, Karl Obert, Earle O'Day, Pacific Air Industries Aerial Photography, Dave Packwood, Padilla Studios, Maynard L. Parker, Jack W. Patterson, Julius Shulman, Spence Air Photos, H.W. Steward, Thiem, Harry Vroman, Whithurse Aerial Photos, and Steven H. Willard.

The Pacific Press Syndicate, Inc. began publication of Pictorial California in December of 1925. The title was soon changed to Pictorial California and the Pacific by Eugene Swarzwald, president of the Pacific Press Syndicate and Keystone Photo Service which supplied many of the magazine's images. Swarzwald's magazine promoted the virtues of California and the western United States, and was distributed by chambers of commerce, railroad and steamship companies, and hotel management. The magazine is entirely graphic, consisting of photographs with captions but very little narrative accompaniment. The Swarzwald family produced the magazine until 1968 when it was taken over by a new publisher.

75.93 linear feet, 55 boxes

All requests for permission to publish photographs must be submitted in writing to the Curator of Photographs. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Huntington as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.