Louis “Luigi” A. Mastropasqua Photograph Album

Finding aid created by San Francisco History Center staff using RecordEXPRESS

San Francisco Public Library. San Francisco History Center

San Francisco Public Library

100 Larkin Street

San Francisco, California 94102

(415) 557-4567

sfhistory@sfpl.org

http://sfpl.org/sfhistory

2019

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.