Otis Oldfield artwork photographs, 1930-1940

Printable guide [HTML]

Summary

Creators:
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park (Agency : U.S.) Oldfield, Otis, 1890-1969
Abstract:
The Otis Oldfield artwork photographs, 1930-1940, bulk 1930, (SAFR 24433, P99-046) are comprised mainly of photographs of watercolor paintings by artist Otis Oldfield depicting scenes aboard DOVER (built 1891; paddle riverboat) during a 1930 trip in the Sacramento River Delta region of California. The collection has been processed to the Collection level and is open for use.
Extent:
15 items
Language:
In English.
Preferred citation:

[Item description], [Location within collection organization identified by Collection Number/Series Number/File Unit Number/Item Number], P99-046 (SAFR 24433), Otis Oldfield artwork photographs, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Background

Scope and content:

The Otis Oldfield artwork photographs, 1930-1940, bulk 1930, (SAFR 24433, P99-046) are comprised mainly of photographs of watercolor paintings by artist Otis Oldfield depicting scenes aboard DOVER (built 1891; paddle riverboat) during a 1930 trip in the Sacramento River Delta region of California. The collection has been processed to the Collection level and is open for use.

Contains photographs of artwork by Otis Oldfield, 1930-1940, bulk 1930. Consists of (13) color negatives, 4 x 5 in., and (2) black-and-white negatives, 4 x 5 in.

Items 01-12 are photographs of watercolor paintings of crewmembers at work and leisure aboard DOVER (built 1891; paddle riverboat) during a 1930 trip in the Sacramento River Delta, California. Items 13-15 are photographs of other miscellaneous artwork.

Items 01-12, DOVER watercolor paintings, 1930:
  • 01. Crew's Quarters, Quarter Deck. Painting no. 373.
  • 02. Crew on Deck. Painting no. 375.
  • 03. Officer's Quarters, Quarter Deck. Painting no. 376.
  • 04. Fireman. Painting no. 379.
  • 05. The Cub. Painting no. 383.
  • 06. Fireman's Hobby. Painting no. 392.
  • 07. Shootin' Snags. Painting no. 361.
  • 08. Repairing Rudder. Painting no. 368.
  • 09. Chief Engineer. Painting no. 374.
  • 10. Pilot. Painting no. 380.
  • 11. Slow John "Leadman." Painting no. 381.
  • 12. Captain of the Dover. Painting no. 382.
Items 13-15, other artwork:
  • 13. Grand Stand. No date. Painting no. 124. Depicts five children along a fence with their backs to the viewer.
  • 14. Adieu! Circa 1940. Lithograph no. 8/150. Depicts two men at the wheel of a sailing vessel with a tugboat in the distance.
  • 15. Chez Stackpole, or Stackpole's Studio. 1925 March 15. Drawing no. 60. Depicts artist Ralph Stackpole at work in his San Francisco studio.
Biographical / historical:

Otis Oldfield (July 3, 1890 - May 18, 1969) was an artist whose work included maritime scenes, portraits, and landscapes. He was born in Sacramento, California, and arrived in San Francisco, California, in 1909. He left to study art in France at the Acad�mie Julien in 1911, returning to San Francisco in 1924. He taught painting at the California College of Arts and Crafts, and, during World War II, worked as a draftsman at the shipyards in Fort Mason.

In 1930, Oldfield traveled aboard DOVER (built 1891; paddle riverboat) and produced a series of watercolor paintings and a manuscript depicting the experience. His writings and paintings produced during a voyage to Alaska aboard LOUISE (built 1892; schooner, 3m) in 1931 appear in the book "A Pictorial Journal of a Voyage Aboard the Three Masted Schooner Louise" (published by Grabhorn-Hoyem Press in 1969). His artwork can also be seen in San Francisco's Coit Tower and the former Pacific Stock Exchange Club.

Source: "Biography." Otis Oldfield: The innovative fine artist. Accessed June 1, 2015. http://otisoldfield.net/biography

Acquisition information:

SAFR-01360

Field collection by San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park staff photographers in 1999. Original paintings and drawings by Otis Oldfield were loaned to the Park for copying by the painting's owners, Jayne Blatchley (Oldfield's daughter) and David Hull. As of 1999, Mrs. Blatchley owned Items 01-06 and Mr. Hull owned Items 07-15.

According to correspondence in 1999 from Jayne Blatchley in the collection file, the copy photographs were intended to be published in the book "Steamboating on the Dover" by Otis Oldfield. This is likely the manuscript "Steamer Dover and Around About," a copy of which is located in the SFMNHP's Otis Oldfield papers, 1899-1968 (SAFR 17114, HDC 0239). The book has not been published as of June 2015.

Processing information:

The descriptions in this collection guide were compiled using the best available sources of information. Such sources include the creator's annotations or descriptions, collection accession files, primary and secondary source material and subject matter experts. While every effort was made to provide accurate information, in the event that you find any errors in this guide please contact the reference staff in order for us to evaulate and make corrections to this guide.

Please cite the title and collection number in any correspondence with our staff.

Arrangement:

Arranged by owner of the original painting, then by painting number (Items 01-12), followed by artwork not originally part of the DOVER (built 1891; paddle riverboat) series of paintings (Items 13-15).

Physical location:
San Francisco Maritime NHP, Historic Documents Department
Physical description:
.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard .

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for use unless otherwise noted.

Use of this collection is restricted and requires the permision of the copyrightholder, Jayne Blatchly (Estate of Otis Oldfield; Jayne Blatchly Trust).

Terms of access:

Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the researcher's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.

Preferred citation:

[Item description], [Location within collection organization identified by Collection Number/Series Number/File Unit Number/Item Number], P99-046 (SAFR 24433), Otis Oldfield artwork photographs, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Location of this collection:
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123, US
Contact:
415-561-7030
Website