Title: The Beverly Hilton Collection

Dates: circa 1960s

Collection Number: 2007.0003.0068

Creator/Collector: Roth, Dick Wan, De Falcon Photographic Services

Extent: Approximately 573 photographic prints and contact prints

Repository: UC Riverside. California Museum of Photography

Abstract: Photographs (bulk) captured by Falcon Photographic Services with a business address at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. The bulk of the photographs document attendees of special events held at the hotel and other locations. The remaining photographs depict studio portrait and other location sessions, landscapes and building interiors and exteriors.

Language of Material: English

The collection is open for research use.

Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder (if applicable).

The Beverly Hilton Collection. UC Riverside. California Museum of Photography

The bulk of the photographs in this collection are believed to have been made by employees of Falcon Photographic Services with a business address at the Beverly Hilton. Two employees are identified by business stamps: Dick Roth and De Wan. Less prominent business stamps are: Todd Photography in Hollywood and Irvine Antler of the Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles.

The Beverly Hilton collection is comprised of 573 photographs and contact photographs created circa the 1960s. The bulk of the photographs include a Falcon Photographic Services Business Stamp with a Beverly Hilton Hotel business address. The majority of the materials depict attendees of special events held at the Beverly Hilton event spaces and other event locations. Photographs document private and community group events such as fashion events, pageants, dedications, meetings, charities, and themed and costumed events. The photos largely depict candid photographs of groups and individuals in black-tie and formal attire, business and dresswear. The collection also includes approximately one hundred photographs documenting portrait sessions of several women of varying ages in both interior and exterior spaces including sitting areas, kitchens, and gardens. There are approximately twenty photos documenting studio and more casual portraits of men and women. The collection includes 64 sheets of contact prints. These compliment both special event photographs and portrait sessions with some duplication. The contact prints also document other studio portrait sessions of additional subjects including men, women, and children. The prints also include more casual depictions of musicians and desk staff. The collection also includes photographs depicting the interior and exteriors of both commercial and presumed residential spaces and landscapes. A Western Airlines storefront and interior space is depicted, mountainous landscape with residences and building exteriors, coastal landscape and a living space depicting furniture and decor. Interior and exterior spaces are not identifiable as the Beverly Hilton. The collection contains identified individuals including Mr. Conrad N. Hilton, founder of the Hilton Hotels chain and several recurring individuals with him, actress Jane Russell, and women’s fashion designer Don Loper. Three photographs identify the following individuals affiliated with the Beverly Hills Service Group: Mr. Samuel Greenebaum, Mr. Maurice Gaylord, Dr. Rocca L. Motto, MD, Mrs. Joseph Echenbaum [sic], Mr. John Factor and Mrs. Harry Brand. These photographs are located in folder five. Also documented in the collection is the donation of a presumed navigation tool to the Institute of Navigation of the University of California Los Angeles by Captain Horace G. Brown, Jr. These photographs are located in folder one. Identified brands and organizations in the collection are: Western Airlines, Swiss Air, Carnation Seafood Department, The National Academy of Television, Arts and Sciences, Society of Wine Toastmasters, United States Army Reserve, and the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women. These photographs are in folders one and two. The WAIF ISS adoption organization is also identified in a photograph of actress Jane Russell in folder five.