Descriptive Summary
Access
Publication Rights
Preferred Citation
Acquisition Information
Biography/Administrative History
Scope and Content of Collection
Indexing Terms
Descriptive Summary
Title: Louis “Luigi” A. Mastropasqua Photograph Album
Dates: 1926 - 1928
Collection Number: SFP 110
Creator/Collector:
Extent: 1 photograph album (93 gelatin silver photographic prints); album 17.5 cm x 25 cm, prints 9 cm x 14.5 cm
Repository:
San Francisco Public Library. San Francisco History Center
San Francisco, California 94102
Abstract: 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.
Language of Material: English
Access
The collection is available for use during Photo Desk hours.
Publication Rights
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.
Preferred Citation
Louis “Luigi” A. Mastropasqua Photograph Album. San Francisco Public Library. San Francisco History Center
Acquisition Information
Gift 2009.
Biography/Administrative History
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.
Scope and Content of Collection
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. Many of the photographs
are labeled and dated. A few prints are labeled with the owner’s names, possibly projects of the architect. While this is
an amateur album, the photographs are all beautifully composed and photographed and meticulously mounted. Most photographs
are vibrant with good contrast, a few have some fading, but the images are clear for the most part.
