Hubert A. Lowman Photographic Archive, 1941-2006 and undated

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Summary

Creators:
Lowman, Hubert A.
Abstract:
The Hubert A. Lowman Photographic Archive consists of photographic materials, papers, books, magazines, printed matter, business archives, and other property representing the body of work of Hubert A. Lowman, photographer and publisher, and the Lowman Publishing Company. The Archive spans nearly 70 years and provides insight into the business and subject matter of a commercial photographer. The bulk of the Archive focuses on the American West (primarily California and Arizona) and supports research into the historical depiction of their locations. Over his photographic career, Lowman’s clients included Union Oil Company, American Airlines, the California Mission Trails Association (CMTA), Disneyland, Los Angeles City Schools, Arizona Highways magazine, regional postcard distributors from California to Mississippi, and the concessionaires of national parks including Yosemite, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone.
Extent:
79.5 Linear Feet (39 records boxes, 8 document boxes, 6 oversize document boxes, 2 flat boxes, 7 telescoping roll storage boxes, 1 map folder)
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English .

Background

Scope and content:

The Hubert A. Lowman Photographic Archive consists of photographic materials, papers, books, magazines, printed matter, business archives, and other property representing the body of work of Hubert A. Lowman, photographer and publisher, and the Lowman Publishing Company. The collection's first series includes the business papers of the Lowman Publishing Company featuring correspondence, purchase orders, client lists, and other ancillary materials related to the company. Artwork and draft materials for various publications produced by the Lowman Publishing Company are also included. The second series, and bulk of the collection, are Lowman's photographic materials created for commercial and personal use. The series is organized into several subseries by format and includes color and black and white photographic prints and negatives, as well as color slides and transparencies. The photographic materials primarily showcase the Southwestern United States, California Missions, and U.S. National Parks, while also highlighting the Lowman family and other locations throughout the United States. Photographs and materials used for commercial purposes were primarily produced between 1946 to 1966. Photographs after 1973 were primarily taken for Lowman's personal use and tend to be scenic/travel images or family photographs. The collection's third and final series features publications, books, magazines, calendars, postcards, advertisements, murals, stickers, and other ephemeral items created by the Lowman Publishing Company or featuring photographs taken by Hubert Lowman. Nine full sets of educational study prints created for the Los Angeles City School District are also included, in addition to large souvenir posters and uncut printer's sheets of study prints and postcards. This series includes a full-run of Arizona Highways magazine from 1946-1966.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Robert P. Lowman, March 2018.
Arrangement:

This collection has been organized into the following series and subseries:

  • Series 1: Lowman Publishing Company, 1945-2003 and undated
  • Series 2: Photographic materials, 1944-2006 and undated
  • Suberies 2.1: Black and white negatives, 1962 and undated
  • Subseries 2.2: Black and white prints, 1944-1963 and undated
  • Subseries 2.3: Color prints and negatives, 1966-2006 and undated
  • Subseries 2.4: Color slides, 1953-1998 and undated
  • Subseries 2.5: Color transparencies, 1958-1971 and undated
  • Subseries 2.6: Film, undated
  • Series 3: Printed matter, 1941-2001 and undated

File folders are arranged alphabetically by title. Contents within files are typically arranged in chronological order.

Physical location:
Please consult repository.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Location of this collection:
800 N. Dartmouth Ave.
Claremont, CA 91711, US
Contact:
(909) 607‑3977
specialcollections@claremont.edu
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