Guide to the Carte de Visite Collection

Special Collections & Archives

University Library

California State University, Northridge

18111 Nordhoff Street

Northridge, CA 91330-8326

URL: https://library.csun.edu/SCA

Contact: https://library.csun.edu/SCA/Contact

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Contributing Institution: Special Collections & Archives

Title: Carte de Visite Collection

Identifier/Call Number: SC.CDV

Extent: 0.20 linear feet

Date (inclusive): circa 1860-circa 1889

Abstract: Cartes de visite are a small type of photograph patented in Paris, France in the 1850s, made when a photograph printed on thin paper is mounted onto a thicker piece of paper. Cartes de visite were printed in a standard size, 2 1/8" by 3 1/2", and mounted on a standard-sized piece of paper, 2 1/2" by 4". Usually featuring individuals rather than landscapes or other subjects, cartes de visite were inexpensive in comparison with other photographic prints available at the time, and were enormously popular throughout the 1860s. They were sometimes displayed in sitting rooms, or traded between friends and acquaintances as a popular Victorian hobby. The collection consists of 11 cartes de visite.

Language of Material: English

Scope and Contents

The Carte de Visite Collection consists of 11 cartes de visite taken at several different photography studios in Los Angeles, Stockton, San Francisco, and other parts of California, including Mains & Clements, Henfield's New Photographic Gallery, Higgins' Photographic Gallery, Miltz & Swart, J. M. Jacobs, S. L. McFarlin's Photographic Gallery, B. P. Batchelder Photographic Art Place, and The Elite Gallery. They are all of men and women in California during the 1860s and 1870s.

Related Material

Nineteenth Century Photograph Collection

Conditions Governing Access:

The collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use:

Copyright for unpublished materials in this collection may be in the public domain. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.

Preferred Citation:

For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style manual, or see the Citing Archival Materials guide.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Photographs