Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
A guide to the Robert Edwin Willcox photograph and postcard collection, 1890-1989
P96-039 (SAFR 24246)
No online items
View entire collection guide
Search this collection
Table of contents
Title: Robert Edwin Willcox photograph and postcard collection
Date: 1890-1989
Date (bulk): 1960-1988
Identifier/Call Number: P96-039 (SAFR 24246)
Creator:
Willcox, Robert Edwin
Physical Description:
31 items.
Repository:
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Historic Documents Department
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123
Abstract: The Robert Edwin Willcox photograph and postcard collection, 1890-1989, bulk 1960-1988, (SAFR 24246, P96-039) is comprised
mainly of photographs and postcards of West Coast and Pacific Ocean passenger steamships. The collection has been processed
to the Item level and is open for use.
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], P96-039 (SAFR 24246), Robert Edwin Willcox photograph and postcard collection, San Francisco Maritime National Historical
Park
SAFR-01105
The collection was donated in 1996 by Professor Alex S. Flett, "presented in memory of Mr. Robert Edwin Willcox, mariner and
lover of ships and the sea." There is no information in the collection file regarding the photographer of the photographic
prints. The postcards appear to have been purchased (some of the original plastic sleeves, now discarded, had prices written
on them and other postcards have a price penciled on the verso). Mr. Willcox might have been the collector and/or photographer,
but this could not be confirmed.
Historical or Biographical Note
This collection does not include a historical or biographical note.
The Robert Edwin Willcox photograph and postcard collection, 1890-1989, bulk 1960-1988, (SAFR 24246, P96-039) is comprised
mainly of photographs and postcards of West Coast and Pacific Ocean passenger steamships. The collection has been processed
to the Item level and is open for use.
Contains photographs of coastal steamships and ocean liners as well as a replica whaling bark, 1890-1989, bulk 1960-1988.
There are 31 unique photographic images in 31 physical forms (18 color photographic prints, 7 color offset lithographic postcards,
4 color letterpress halftone postcards, 1 color collotype postcard, and 1 black-and-white collotype postcard). Many of the
Items show vessels that traveled along the West Coast of North America and across the Pacific Ocean to various locations,
including California, Hawaii, and Alaska. The collection also includes photographs of lake steamers, and two steamships are
shown repurposed as floating restaurants in California.
The photographic prints taken in 1988 (Items 01-18) show EARNSLAW (built 1912; passenger steamship) underway on Lake Wakatipu,
New Zealand; PRINCESS LOUISE (built 1921; passenger steamship) moored as a restaurant in San Pedro, California; and QUEEN
MARY (built 1934; passenger steamship) moored as a hotel and restaurant in Long Beach, California.
The postcards (Items 19-31) show the following vessels, nearly all of which are depicted underway: CANBERRA (built 1960; passenger
steamship); CONSTITUTION (built 1950; passenger steamship) off Hawaii; EMPRESS OF JAPAN (built 1890; passenger steamship)
at British Columbia, Canada; either HARVARD (built 1906; passenger steamship) or YALE (built 1906; passenger steamship); KINGSTON
(built 1901; paddle steamship) on Lake Ontario; LURLINE (built 1932; passenger steamship) at Hawaii; MANCHURIA (built 1903;
passenger steamship); either MARIPOSA (built 1953; passenger steamship) or MONTEREY (built 1952; passenger steamship) in Alaska;
ORIANA (built 1959; passenger steamship) in San Francisco, California; PRINCESS MARGUERITE (built 1948; passenger steamship);
and either SANTA MAGDALENA (built 1963; passenger steamship), SANTA MARIA (built 1963; passenger steamship), SANTA MARIANA
(built 1963; passenger steamship), or SANTA MERCEDES (built 1964; passenger steamship) in San Francisco. There is one postcard
(Item 20)
of the replica whaling bark CARTHAGINIAN (bark, 3m: whaler).
Photographic prints are arranged alphabetically by vessel name, followed by postcards arranged alphabetically by vessel name.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Ocean liners
Passenger ships
Lake steamers
Pacific Area
Pacific Coast (U.S.)
Wakatipu, Lake (N.Z.)
Color prints (photographs)
Picture postcards