A guide to the Otis Oldfield papers, 1899-1968
Processed by: Toland, Erica Schoenhals, 18JUL1999.
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
2018
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123
Phone: 415-561-7030
Fax: 415-556-3540
SAFR_Historic_Documents@nps.gov
URL: http://www.nps.gov/safr
A Guide to the Otis Oldfield papers
HDC0239
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, National Park Service2018, National Park Service
Title: Otis Oldfield papers
Date: 1899-1968
Identifier/Call Number: HDC0239 (SAFR 17114)
Creator:
Oldfield, Otis, 1890-1969
Physical Description:
3.6 linear ft.
Repository:
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Historic Documents Department
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123
Abstract: The Otis Oldfield papers, 1899-1968 (SAFR 17114, HDC 239) is comprised of materials created and assembled by artist, painter
Otis Oldfield. The collection has been processed to the file unit level and is open for use with restrictions. This is a collection
of manuscripts, sketches, photographs, newspaper clippings, charts and maps of Pacific coast maritime history and tradition.
The scrapbooks, mostly photocopies and some originals, contain sketches, photos, news clippings and miscellany, from and about
the Pacific Coast maritime community. Copyright restrictions apply.
Physical Location: San Francisco Maritime NHP, Historic Documents Department
Language(s):
In English.
This collection is open for use unless otherwise noted.
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.
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.
[Item description], [Location within collection organization identified by Collection Number/Series Number/File Unit Number/Item
Number], HDC0239 (SAFR 17114), Otis Oldfield papers, San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
SAFR-00001
SAFR-01454
Otis Oldfield, artist/painter, created and assembled this collection of manuscripts, sketches, photographs, newspaper clippings,
charts and maps of Pacific coast maritime history and tradition. Otis' wife Helen Oldfield, and daughter, Jayne Blatchly,
gave and loaned portions of the collection to the S.F. Maritime Museum/J. Porter Shaw Library over a period of years from
1968 to 1982. Portions of the loans and gifts were returned to Jayne Blatchly on November 25, 1985. See collection file for
inventory of returned items, and retained original material and photocopies.
Historical or Biographical Note
Otis Oldfield was born in Sacramento, CA in 1890. He enrolled at an art school in San Francisco in 1909, and after several
years living in Europe, he returned to San Francisco in 1924. He was a full professor on the staff of the California School
of Fine Arts, and was featured in several one-man shows and exhibits through the rest of his life. His art is represented
in the W.P.A. murals in Coit Tower. Oldfield died in 1969, just as the printing of the 400-copy limited edition of: Louise,
a Pictorial Journal was completed by the Grabhorn-Hoyem Press.
During the spring of 1930, Oldfield traveled aboard the paddlewheeler DOVER as a passenger for her last excursion up the Sacramento
River, from the Sacramento Delta to Red Bluff.
On March 28, 1931, Oldfield came aboard the LOUISE for her annual trip to Alaska where she was employed in the codfishing
trade. Oldfield made at least 100 drawings during the month-long trip, as well as taking a number of photographs. He also
published his journal of the voyage as: A Pictorial Journey of a Voyage, from San Francisco Bay to Dutch Harbor, Alaska.
During the spring of 1930, Oldfield traveled aboard the paddlewheeler DOVER as a passenger for her last excursion up the Sacramento
River, from the Sacramento Delta to Red Bluff.
On March 28, 1931, Oldfield came aboard the LOUISE for her annual trip to Alaska where she was employed in the codfishing
trade. Oldfield made at least 100 drawings during the month-long trip, as well as taking a number of photographs. He also
published his journal of the voyage as: A Pictorial Journey of a Voyage, from San Francisco Bay to Dutch Harbor, Alaska.
The Otis Oldfield papers, 1899-1968 (SAFR 17114, HDC 239) is comprised of materials created and assembled by artist, painter
Otis Oldfield. The collection has been processed to the file unit level and is open for use with restrictions. This is a collection
of manuscripts, sketches, photographs, newspaper clippings, charts and maps of Pacific coast maritime history and tradition.
The scrapbooks, mostly photocopies and some originals, contain sketches, photos, news clippings and miscellany, from and about
the Pacific Coast maritime community. Copyright restrictions apply.
The collection is divided into two series: Series 1: Scrapbooks, 1930-1968; Series 2: Charts and Maps, arranged by document
type (chart or map) then by geographic location.
P79-013a Otis Oldfield photographic albums, ca. 1910, SAFR 15272
- This material is located at San Francisco Maritime NHP
P79-085a Otis Oldfield photographs, SAFR 15278
- This material is located at San Francisco Maritime NHP
SAFR 17927, Otis Oldfield classified photographs; SAFR 19040, Otis Oldfield photograph
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Historic ships--Conservation and restoration
Scrapbooks