Max Yavno Photograph Collection, circa 1945 - 1950

Ella Strong Denison Library
© 2020
Scripps College. All rights reserved.
1090 Columbia Ave
Claremont 91711
Email: denison@scrippscollege.edu
URL: www.scrippscollege.edu/offices/denison


Descriptive Summary

Title: Yavno (Max) Photographs Collection
Dates: circa 1945-1950
Collection number: D.Mss.0975
Creator: Yavno, Max (1911 - 1985)
Extent: 2 boxes
Repository: Scripps College. Ella Strong Denison Library. Claremont, CA 91711.
Abstract: The Max Yavno photograph collection contains photographs taken by Yavno of the Scripps College campus and of Scripps student life from 1945 to 1950. Some of the photographs were published in 1950 in The Los Angeles Book, which Yavno co-created with Lee Shipley.
Physical location: Please consult repository.
Language of materials: Languages represented in the collection: English.

Administrative Information

Access

Collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

All requests for permission to publish must be submitted in writing to Denison Library.

Preferred Citation

Max Yavno Photographs. Ella Strong Denison Library, Libraries of The Claremont Colleges.

Acquisition Information

Commissioned by Scripps College, circa 1945.

Processing History

Processed by Lorain Wang in 2003. All of the photographs were received mounted and have been maintained in its original format. In processing the collection, each photograph was assigned a unique identification number.

Biography

Max Yavno was born in New York City on April 26, 1911. He is known for his work in fine art and commercial photography and for his ability to capture urban life in his photographs. After earning his Bachelor of Social Science from the City College of New York in 1932, he attended the School of Business Administration at Columbia University and a year later, enrolled in Columbia's political science graduate program. In 1935, Yavno worked briefly as a social worker at the New York City Home Relief Bureau. It was during the mid-1930s that Yavno became involved in photography professionally, working for the Works Progress Administration (WPA) as a photographer. He also joined the Photo League and later served as president of the organization in 1938. During World War II, Yavno served in the United States Army Air Force as a photography instructor. After returning from the war, Yavno moved to Los Angeles in 1945 where he worked as a freelance photographer for magazines such as Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. In 1948, he collaborated with Herb Caen to create The San Francisco Book, which contained photographs taken by Yavno. In 1950, another compilation of Yavno's photographs was published in The Los Angeles Book, with text written by Lee Shipley. During the 1950s, Yavno devoted his skills to commercial photography and was awarded the New York Art Directors Gold Medal in 1954 and 1955. In 1954, he opened a commercial photography studio in Los Angeles. During the 1960s, Yavno's The Story of Wine in California and Natzler Ceramics were published. In 1975, Yavno turned away from commercial photography to focus on creating artistic photographs, traveling to Death Valley in California and to other countries including Israel, Egypt, Mexico, and Morocco. Solo exhibitions of his work were held at various galleries around the country. In 1981, The Photography of Max Yavno was published. At the age of 74, Max Yavno passed away on March 4, 1985. Citations:
"A Biography of Max Yavno." UCR/California Museum of Photography. 23 June 2003 www.cmp.ucr.edu/exhibitions/yavno/bio.html.
"The Artists and Their Visions." Center for Creative Photography. 23 June 2003 www.library.arizona.edu/branches/ccp/education/guides/sisyavgd/artguid.htm.
"Max Yavno Chronology." Center for Creative Photography. 23 June 2003 www.library.arizona.edu/branches/ccp/education/guides/sisyavgd/yavchrn.htm.

Scope and Content of the Collection

The collection is comprised of photographs taken by Max Yavno around the Scripps College campus from 1945 to 1950. Most of the photographs capture student life both in and outside the classroom as well as members of the Scripps faculty interacting with students. Some of the photographs were published in 1950 in Yavno's book, The Los Angeles Book.

Box 1, Folder 1

Drama production circa 1945-1950

Physical Description: 19.2 x 24.1 cm
Abstract: students working on props
Box 1, Folder 2

Athletics - equestrian circa 1945-1950

Physical Description: 24.2 x 19 cm
Abstract: students riding horses
Box 1, Folder 3

Students gathered around fireplace circa 1945-1950

Physical Description: 19.3 x 23.6 cm
Box 1, Folder 4

Tea time circa 1945-1950

Physical Description: 19.3 x 24.1 cm
Abstract: Virginia Judy Esterly having tea with students
Box 1, Folder 5

Students playing field hockey circa 1945-1950

Physical Description: 19.3 x 22.7 cm
Box 1, Folder 6

Students dancing circa 1945-1950

Physical Description: 19.3 x 21 cm
Box 1, Folder 7

Athletics - diving circa 1945-1950

Physical Description: 19.3 x 24.1 cm
Abstract: students at pool
Box 1, Folder 8

Athletics - Fencing circa 1945-1950

Physical Description: 19.2 x 24 cm
Abstract: students fencing
Box 1, Folder 9

Art class circa 1945-1950

Physical Description: 19.3 x 24.1 cm
Abstract: seated model with art students in background
Box 1, Folder 10

Millard Sheets teaching art class 1950

Physical Description: 19.3 x 24.1 cm
Abstract: Millard Sheets in background with students sketching art model
Box 1, Folder 11

Outside art class circa 1945-1950

Physical Description: 19.3 x 23.8 cm
Abstract: Millard Sheets teaching art class outside
Box 1, Folder 12

Child care class circa 1945-1950

Physical Description: 19.2 x 24.1 cm
Abstract: children painting in child care class in Mary B. Eyre School
Box 1, Folder 13

Class Lecture circa 1945-1950

Physical Description: 18.9 x 23.2 cm
Abstract: students listening to professor lecture
Box 1, Folder 14

Students eating in Grace Scripps Clark Dining Hall circa 1945-1950

Physical Description: 19.3 x 20.6 cm
Box 1, Folder 15

Students studying in Denison's Main Reading Room circa 1945-1950

Physical Description: 19.3 x 23 cm
Box 1, Folder 16

North Reading Room in Denison Library circa 1945-1950

Physical Description: 18.6 x 20.6 cm
Abstract: two students studying in North Reading Room (now Rare Book Room) in Denison Library
Box 1, Folder 17

Lang Art Gallery circa 1945-195

Physical Description: 23.7 x 19.3 cm
Abstract: Millard Sheets looking at paintings with students in Lang Art Gallery
Box 1, Folder 18

Millard Sheets in Lang Art Gallery circa 1945-1950

Physical Description: 19.3 x 24.1 cm
Abstract: Millard Sheets with students gathered in front of paintings
Box 1, Folder 19

East view of Toll Hall circa 1945-1950

Physical Description: 19.3 x 21.2 cm
Box 1, Folder 20

Students in Toll Browsing Room circa 1945-1950

Physical Description: 21 x 19.3 cm
Box 2, Folder 1

Albert Britt holding informal lecture circa 1945-1950

Physical Description: 19.3 x 22.8 cm
Abstract: Albert Britt holding informal lecture in classroom in Lang Art Gallery
Box 2, Folder 2

Waldo Hilary Dunn circa 1945-1950

Physical Description: 19.1 x 24 cm
Abstract: Waldo Hilary Dunn with 2 students
Box 2, Folder 3

Lee Pattison and music students circa 1945-1950

Physical Description: 19.1 x 24.1 cm
Abstract: Lee Pattison playing the piano while looking to his right at student playing the piano next to him
Box 2, Folder 4

Music with Lee Pattison circa 1945-1950

Physical Description: 19.3 x 22.5 cm
Abstract: Lee Pattison in foreground playing the piano looking to his left at student playing the piano next to him
Box 2, Folder 5

Music circa 1945-1950

Physical Description: 24.1 x 19 cm
Abstract: Lee Pattison with students playing the piano
Box 2, Folder 6

Lee Pattison circa 1945-1950

Physical Description: 19.1 x 24 cm
Abstract: Lee Pattison seated at piano looking to his right at student playing the piano next to him
Box 2, Folder 7

Millard Sheets in front of one of his paintings circa 1945-1950

Physical Description: 24.4 x 18.7 cm
Box 2, Folder 8

Graffiti Wall - Class of 1939 circa 1945-1950

Physical Description: 19.3 x 23.8 cm
Abstract: two students standing in front of Class of 1939 Graffiti Wall
Box 2, Folder 9

Graffiti Wall - Class of 1945 circa 1945-1950

Physical Description: 19.3 x 23.8 cm
Abstract: two students in front of Class of 1945 Graffiti Wall
Box 2, Folder 10

Alfredo Ramos Martinez painting fresco in the Margaret Fowler Garden circa 1945-1946

Physical Description: 24 x 19 cm
Box 2, Folder 11

Gardens and grounds circa 1945-1950

Physical Description: 24.2 x 19.4 cm
Abstract: 9th Street entrance to Scripps campus
Box 2, Folder 12

Two students playing tennis circa 1945-1950

Physical Description: 19.3 x 24 cm
Box 2, Folder 13

Swimming pool circa 1945-1950

Physical Description: 19.3 x 24.1cm
Box 2, Folder 14

Scripps College President, Frederick Hard circa 1945-1950

Physical Description: 19 x 24 cm
Abstract: close-up of Frederick Hard, president of Scripps College
Box 2, Folder 15

Scripps College President, Frederick Hard circa 1945-1950

Physical Description: 19 x 24 cm
Abstract: close-up of a smiling Frederick Hard, president of Scripps College
Box 2, Folder 16

Students in bedroom circa 1945-1950

Physical Description: 19.8 x 19.2 cm