The Descriptive Finding Guide for the Lou Larson Photographic Collection SDASM.SC.10185

San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
8/2016
2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park
San Diego 92101


Language of Material: English
Contributing Institution: San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Title: Lou Larson Photographic Collection
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10185
Physical Description: .3 Cubic Feet This is a one box collection with measurements 15¼ x 10½ x 5 inches. The majority of the collection contains copy photographs of various sizes. There are also 15 copy negatives, and scrapbook pages with dirigible photographs and captions in German.
Date (bulk): bulk
Abstract: Photos focusing on World War One aircraft and airships.

Biographical / Historical

Louis Floyd Larson was born in Lakeland, Minnesota on March 7, 1919; his wife, Gladys Evelyn, was born November 19, 1922. The couple lived in Arlington Heights, IL from about 1951 to 1982 where they were friends and neighbors with Ralph and Eileen Young. Ralph served during WWII in Germany when he came into possession of two photo albums; one of Zeppelins and another of WWI photographs. The majority of the photos are stamped on the back with “Charles Donald” of Union City, New Jersey. Apparently Mr. Donald was a collector and seller of WWI aviation photographs and negatives, military medals, and Richtofen memorabilia. An ad in the October and November 1945 issues of Flying magazine states, “War Air photos 1914-18. Clear glossy photographs, Spads, Camels, Nieuports, Fokkers, Albatross on the ground and in the air. Rare Richtofen photographs, Aces, and Crashes. 3 cent stamp brings price lists.” Maybe Ralph purchased the photos from Charles. Ralph and Eileen eventually moved to Fort Worth, TX, and about 1975, Lou and Gladys drove from Illinois to Texas to visit Eileen after Ralph had passed away. The photographs had been in Ralph’s possession for thirty years and Eileen was ready to toss them out when Lou asked if he could keep them. Lou, a retired IBM engineer, and Gladys now reside in Arkansas.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open to research by appointment.

Related Materials

LTA image collection.

Scope and Contents

This is a one box collection with measurements 15¼ x 10½ x 5 inches. The majority of the collection contains copy photographs of various sizes. There are also 15 copy negatives, and scrapbook pages with dirigible photographs and captions in German.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

World War, 1914-1918
Dirigible
Graf Zeppelin (Airship)
Sopwith Airplanes
Sopwith Camel
Nieuport 11
Spad Aircraft
Larson, Lou
Richthofen, Manfred von
Donald, Charles

 

Series I: Photographs

 

Folder 1 – Photographs - Bono_0001 to _0026.

Physical Description: WWI Nieuports, Zeppelins, Fokker, Albatross, Spad, Avro, Sopwith Pup, Sopwith Camel, Sopwith Cuckoo, Sopwith Dolphin, Caudron, Voisin bomber, Halberstadt, and more.
 

Folder 2 – Photographs

Physical Description: WWI Albatross, Richtofen, Sopwith Pup, Spad, USS Akron, Pfalz Dreidecker, and more.
 

Folder 3 – Photographs 1 of 2

Physical Description: WWI Deperdussin-Eindecker, Caproni bomber, Friedrichshafen G-2 bomber, Aviatik -Doppledecker, Rumpler, Gotha, Sopwith Baby seaplane, USS Macon, observation balloon, Richtofen, and more.
 

Series II: Negatives

 

Folder 4 – Copy Negatives

Physical Description: 15 copy negatives
 

Series III: Scrapbook

 

Folder 5 – Photographic Scrapbook

Physical Description: Black paper scrapbook, with 24 loose pages and no cover. Pages hand-lettered describing zeppelin world trips from 1899 to 1932. Originally had 264 images and a “metal foil.” Appears to be a mass-produced scrapbook.