The photograph album contains 93 photographic prints taken between 1926 and 1928 presumably by Louis “Luigi” A. Mastropasqua, a San Francisco architect and illustrator. The album primarily consists of scenic views and street scenes of many San Francisco neighborhoods, including Civic Center, downtown, Nob Hill, Telegraph Hill, and early Sea Cliff. In addition to San Francisco residences are prints of residences and buildings in Santa Rosa, San Rafael, Berkeley, and Santa Cruz.

Louis “Luigi” A. Mastropasqua was born in Lombary, Italy on September 17, 1870. Mastropasqua graduated from the University of Naples in 1899 and came to San Francisco shortly after that. In 1903, Mastropasqua worked as a draftsman and by 1905 he established his own architectural firm. He had both Italian and non-Italian clients and built apartments, single family units as well as commercial structures including the San Francisco landmark, Julius Castle, located at 302 Greenwich Street. Mastropasqua was also recognized as an accomplished illustrator and cartoonist with contributions in L’Italia and La Vita Italiana. Mastropasqua died on March 29, 1951 in San Francisco, California.

1 photograph album (93 gelatin silver photographic prints); album 17.5 cm x 25 cm, prints 9 cm x 14.5 cm

All requests for permission to publish from photographs must be submitted in writing to the Photo Curator. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.

The collection is available for use during Photo Desk hours.