The artificial collection consists of approximately 1,500 photographic prints of people related to theater, performing arts and motion pictures as well as film stills, set stills and stage scenes from the 1860s to the 1990s collected by the San Francisco Public Library. The photographs are of a diverse group of entertainers including vocalists, musicians, vaudeville performers, motion picture stars, stage actors and actresses and dancers. The collection does include persons of national prominence. The bulk of the collection is from the 1930s-1960s.

The collection was first collected and assembled by the Reference Department of the San Francisco Public Library. The collection was transferred to the San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library by the 1990s. The collection includes multiple accessions and donations received over the life of the San Francisco Public Library.

2 cartons, 2 pamphlet boxes and 1 flat box with 1,500 photographs

All requests for permission to publish from photographs must be submitted in writing to the Photo Curator. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.

The collection is available for use during Photo Desk hours.