Silva (Frank) Oakland and Alameda waterfront photograph collection, 1978-1986

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Summary

Title:
Frank Silva Oakland and Alameda waterfront photograph collection
Dates:
1978-1986
Creators:
Silva, Frank
Abstract:
This collection contains photographs of longshoremen at work and Oakland and Alameda waterfront environs from 1978 to 1986 taken by longshorman and photographer, Frank Silva. Silva's images document a significant period of change from break cargo handling to mechanized containerization and the advent of globalization. Silva's subjects are the men he worked alongside and the machinery and equipment used on the docks.
Extent:
51 Photographic Prints
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Frank Silva Oakland and Alameda Waterfront Photograph Collection, larc.pho.0080, Labor Archives and Research Center, San Francisco State University.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains photographs of longshoremen at work and Oakland and Alameda waterfront environs from 1978 to 1986 taken by longshorman and photographer, Frank Silva. Silva's images document a significant period of change from break cargo handling to mechanized containerization and the advent of globalization. Silva's subjects are the men he worked alongside and the machinery and equipment used on the docks. Shipping companies shown include Maersk Line, Matson Line, Johnson Line, and Blue Star Line. Locations include Encinal Terminals; Howard Terminal; Marine Terminal; Kaiser Yard; Matson Terminal, and Piers 5, 6, and 7. The collection contains two 24 x 30 inch prints which are duplicates of two 8 x 10 inch prints ("Linesman" and "RoRo Lasher").

Biographical / historical:

Frank Silva was born in Oakland, California, and began working on the Oakland waterfront in 1965 after serving in the US Navy. While working on the docks in the 1970s and 1980s, Silva was part of the Waterfront Writers and Artists, a group of International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) members who held poetry readings and art shows celebrating dock work and the union experience. Silva photographed the Oakland and Alameda waterfronts from 1978 through 1988 and some of his photos were printed in The Waterfront Writers, published by Harper and Row in 1979.

Acquisition information:
Donated by Frank Silva, 2018 (2018.004).
Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically.

Physical location:
Collection available on site.
Physical facet:
(b
Dimensions:
48 prints, 8 x 10 in.; 2 prints, 24 x 30 in.; 1 print, 4 x 6 in.)
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Wendy Welker.
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-03-28 19:03:28 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Copyright has not been assigned to the Labor Archives and Research Center. Photographs are for research purposes only.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Frank Silva Oakland and Alameda Waterfront Photograph Collection, larc.pho.0080, Labor Archives and Research Center, San Francisco State University.

Location of this collection:
J. Paul Leonard Library, Room 460
1630 Holloway Ave
San Francisco, CA 94132-1722, US
Contact:
(415) 405-5549
specialcollections@sfsu.edu
Website