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Collection Guide

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A guide to the John W. Classen photograph collection, circa 1880-1900

P98-019 (SAFR 23848)

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Table of contents

Collection Contents

Item No. 01. Feluccas moored at Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, California, circa 1880-1900

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 3.25 x 3.25 in., mounted on a 5 x 5 in. board. Handwritten on the verso: "Fishermans Wharf - SF" in blue ink and "JW Classen" in pencil.

Scope and Content Note

Several feluccas in view. A man is standing aboard a felucca in the foreground with his back to the camera. A sailing vessel (three-masted ship?) is moored alongside a building in the background.

Item No. 02. Three men mending nets at Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, California, circa 1880-1900

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 3.75 x 4.75 in., mounted on a 6.25 x 7.5 in. board. "Fisherman's Wharf" is handwritten on the verso in blue ink.

Scope and Content Note

The men are seated on the wharf.

Item No. 03. Felucca underway on San Francisco Bay, California, circa 1880-1900

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 7 x 9 in. "SF Bay" is handwritten on the verso in pencil.

Scope and Content Note

One man is on board. Starboard, slightly quarter, view.

Item No. 04. Relief (built 1884; tugboat) underway on San Francisco Bay, California, port broadside view, 1889

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 3.875 x 5 in. Handwritten on the verso: "J.D. Spreckels Tug Boat Relief in 1889" in one handwriting and "J D Spreckels tug boat "Relief'" in another.

Item No. 05. Passenger steamer underway on San Francisco Bay, California, starboard broadside view, circa 1880-1900

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 7.5 x 9.75 in. Small tear near center of right edge. Handwritten on the verso: "SF Bay" in blue ink and "S F Bay, in 1800's?" in pencil.

Scope and Content Note

Small steamer, possibly a ferry, with one stack. A three-masted schooner with a deckload of lumber and a four-masted bark are anchored in the middle distance. Alcatraz Island is in the far distance.

Item No. 06. Eureka (steamship) underway on San Francisco Bay, California, starboard broadside view, circa 1885

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 7.5 x 9.75 in. "San Francisco Bay" is handwritten on the verso in pencil.

Item No. 07. Montserrat (freighter) underway on San Francisco Bay, California, starboard broadside view, 1889 November 10

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white albumen photographic print, 8 x 10 in. There is a green stain above the forward section of the steamship. Handwritten on the verso: "Stmr. 'Montserrat'. Nov. 10/89" in black ink; "Steamer" and "Smaller boat has load of wood" in blue ink; "1889" in pencil.

Scope and Content Note

A scow schooner with a deckload of wood is anchored on the right. A pair of pants is hanging from the mainmast boom and a tender is tied off the stern.

Item No. 08. Bender Brothers (built 1889; schooner, 2m) underway on San Francisco Bay, California, starboard bow view, 1890

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 7.5 x 9.75 in. Handwritten on the verso: "SF Bay" in blue ink and "San Francisco Bay 1890" in pencil.

Scope and Content Note

Several people are aft on board. The vessel is towing a tender.

Item No. 09. America (built 1888; schooner, 2m: pilot vessel) in San Francisco Bay, California, port quarter view, 1893

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 7.5 x 9.75 in. "S F Bay 1893" is handwritten on the verso in pencil.

Scope and Content Note

The anchor appears to be lowered. The sails are unfurled. A large "0" is visible on the main sail. A tender is tied off the stern. Other sailing vessels are moored with sails furled in the background, including two two-masted schooners and two three-masted ships.

Item No. 10. Mission San Francisco de Asis (Mission Dolores), San Francisco, California, circa 1880-1900

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 7.5 x 9.75 in. Handwritten in pencil on the verso: "Mission Dolores San Francisco" and "For Mr. Classen."

Scope and Content Note

Eight boys are standing outside the entrance.

Item No. 11. Presentation Convent, San Francisco, California, circa 1880-1900

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 7.5 x 9.75 in. "Presentation Convent, Powell St. SF" is handwritten on the verso in blue ink.

Scope and Content Note

Located on Powell Street between Greenwich and Lombard Streets. A horse-drawn cart with two men aboard is on the left, traveling away from the camera.

Item No. 12. Lighthouse and canons on the barbette of Fort Point, San Francisco, California, as seen from inside the fort, circa 1880-1900

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white albumen photographic print, 5.25 x 8.5 in. "Fort Point SF" is handwritten on the verso in blue ink.

Scope and Content Note

Two women are in view at the railing of the barbette.

Item No. 13. Fort Point interior, San Francisco, California, circa 1880-1900

Extent: 1 photograph.

Physical Description: 1 black-and-white photographic print, 4.5 x 7.5 in. The upper right corner is torn. Handwritten on the verso: "Fort Point SF" in blue ink and "San Francisco Presidio area" in pencil.

Scope and Content Note

The lighthouse is visible in the upper left corner.

Collection Contents