The Al Greene Photographic Print Collection constitutes an important collection of historical photographs of early California and Los Angeles up to the mid-20th Century. The collection of approximately 13,000 prints was assembled by Al Greene, a photographer and long-time operator of a thriving Los Angeles photographic and photo-mural business. The collection is divided into geographical headings: Center city Los Angeles; Los Angeles neighborhoods; Los Angeles County; California cities and counties; and the western United States. Later sections of the collection are arranged by subject rather than by geographic location: California Missions; Industries; Agriculture; Transportation; Schools; Houses. Within these large sections are smaller categories that focus on the history, landscape, built environment, and development of Southern California and the Southwest from approximately 1869-1950.

Al Greene (1906-1980) was a commercial photographer in mid-twentieth century Los Angeles whose company, Al Greene & Associates, specialized in making photographic murals. He not only shot many of the photographs in this collection, but also bought the print and negative collections of retiring photographers in the region, such as Frederick H. Maude, John R. and Arion Putnam, and C.C. Pierce, among others. Consequently the range of images covered extends from the 1869 into the 1950s. Greene’s practice of copying other photographer’s images and supplying his own identification should alert researchers to treat the photographer/creator, descriptive, and date information on the photographs with some skepticism. The collection concentrates on Los Angeles, Southern California, and the Missions but also includes Northern California tourist destinations such as San Francisco and Yosemite and Arizona’s Grand Canyon.

47 linear feet (186 three-ring binders)

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

Research is by appointment only.