Finding aid to the photographs of business signs in California collection PC 005

Jaime Henderson
California Historical Society
July 2018
678 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
reference@calhist.org


Language of Material: English
Contributing Institution: California Historical Society
Title: Photographs of business signs in California collection
Identifier/Call Number: PC 005
Physical Description: 4 folders
Date (inclusive): 1955-1972
Date (bulk): 1962-1972
Abstract: Collection contains 70 color and 4 black and white photographic prints measuring 9 x 13 cm. and 7 black and white photographic prints measuring 20.5 x 26. Photographs show business signs for establishments located in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, San Mateo, Sacramento, and Alameda counties taken between 1955 and 1972, with the bulk of the photographs taken between 1962 and 1972. Most signs feature a mid-century modern design.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

CHS is not taking appointments for research at this time. Please check the Library's website updates: https://californiahistoricalsociety.org/collections/north-baker-research-library/ 

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Materials found in collection; provenance is unknown.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item, date]; Photographs of business signs in California collection, PC 005; [box number, folder number]; California Historical Society.

Scope and Content

Collection contains 70 color and 4 black and white photographic prints measuring 9 x 13 cm. and 7 black and white photographic prints measuring 20.5 x 26. Photographs show business signs for establishments located in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, San Mateo, Sacramento, and Alameda counties taken between 1955 and 1972, with the bulk of the photographs taken between 1962 and 1972. Most signs feature mid-century modern design. Signs advertise eating and drinking establishments (especially coffee shops), supermarkets and grocery stores, shopping centers, hotels and motels, real estate offices, banks, automotive repair shops, car dealerships, car washes, medical centers, liquor stores, movie theaters, clothing stores, pharmacies and other stores and services. Also includes two photographs of Anaheim Stadium, and one of Los Angeles International Airport. Seven photographs show signs erected by Electrical Products Corporation, and one by Ledbetter Signs. One photograph shows the Wagner Mechanical hand being used on a supermarket sign in Glendale, California.

Conditions Governing Use

The California Historical Society (CHS) has no information about copyright ownership for this collection and is not authorized to grant permission to publish or reproduce materials from it. Materials in this collection, which were created between 1955 and 1972, are expected to enter the public domain in 2075 - 2092.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Advertising -- California -- Pictorial works
Architecture, Modern -- California -- Pictorial works
Business enterprises -- California -- Pictorial works
Roadside architecture -- California -- Pictorial works
Signs and signboards -- California -- Pictorial works