Collection Guide
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
California Historical Society
Title: Daguerreotype Collection
Identifier/Call Number: PC DAG
Physical Description:
4.23 linear feet
Date (inclusive): 1839-1870
Language of Material: Collection material is in English.
Collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Contact reference librarian for information.
[Identification of item, date]; Daguerreotype Collection, PC DAG; [box number; daguerreotype number]; California Historical
Society.
Collection comprises daguerreotypes, primarily portraits, and also views of cities, towns, and mining areas in California
taken between 1839 and 1870. Most daguerreotypes are portraits of early California families and pioneers, such as Maria Paula
Rosalia Vallejo Leese and John Augustus Sutter. The collection also contains a seven part, framed panoramic view of San Francicso
taken in 1851 and street views of California towns such as Diamond Springs (El Dorado County), Iowa Hill (Placer County),
and the Oak Valley House (Yuba County). Images documenting California's Gold Rush are also featured in this collection, including
a view of the Madomak Fluming and Mining Company (Yuba County), and a group portrait of Gold Rush era miners. The collection
also features unique examples of the format including a stereoscopic view daguerreotype patented by John F. Mascher, and rare
encasements such as union cases and ornately designed cases with mother of pearl inlays. The collection holds examples of
work from daguerreotypists practicing across the United States, including the following daguerreotypists who had studios in
San Francisco: Robert H. Vance, William J. Shew, John Macdonough Ford and Charles F. Hamilton.
Materials in this collection, which were created between 1839 and 1870, are in the public domain in the United States. Permission
to publish or reproduce is not required.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Cities and towns -- California -- Pictorial works
Cityscape photographs -- California -- San Francisco
Gold miners -- California -- Pictorial works
Gold mines and mining -- California -- Pictorial works
Pioneers -- California -- Pictorial works
Daguerreotypes
Panoramic photographs
Portraits
Union cases