San Francisco Poster Collection
Finding aid created by San Francisco History Center staff using RecordEXPRESS
San Francisco Public Library. San Francisco History Center
2024
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, California 94102
(415) 557-4567
sfhistory@sfpl.org
http://sfpl.org/sfhistory
Title: San Francisco Poster Collection
Dates: 1879-2023
Collection Number: SFH 730
Creator/Collector:
San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library
San Francisco Poster Syndicate
San Francisco Poster Brigade
Mission Grafica
Extent: 10 oversize flat file drawers (26 cubic feet)
Repository:
San Francisco Public Library. San Francisco History Center
San Francisco, California 94102
Abstract: The San Francisco Poster Collection contains over 1,100 printed posters of San Francisco, California acquired by the San Francisco
History Center, San Francisco Public Library. The posters range in date from the late 1800s to the present, and depict events
and places that include both local interests and topics of broader significance.
Language of Material: English
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk
hours. Collections that are stored offsite should be requested 48 hours in advance.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items.
[Identification of item]. San Francisco Poster Collection. Collection Number: SFH 730. San Francisco Public Library. San Francisco
History Center
Collected from various sources, including donations and purchases.
Scope and Content of Collection
The San Francisco Poster Collection contains over 1,100 printed posters of San Francisco, California acquired by the San Francisco
History Center, San Francisco Public Library. The posters range in date from the late 1800s to the present. Events and places
depicted on the posters include both localized and broader reaching events, such as the rededication of City Hall, and anniversary
celebrations for the Bay Bridge and Ferry Building. In addition, there is representation of cultural and political events
such as San Francisco Book Festival, San Francisco Jazz Festival, Carnaval; posters promoting performances and shows, election
posters, and protest posters. Significant poster creators include La Raza Graphics, Mission Grafica, San Francisco Poster
Brigade, and San Francisco Poster Syndicate. Some posters have handwritten inscriptions and many have at one point been posted
before being collected by the San Francisco History Center.
San Francisco (Calif.) -- Politics and government.
San Francisco (Calif.) -- Social life and customs.
San Francisco (Calif.) -- History.
San Francisco (Calif.) -- Buildings, structures, etc.
Political posters -- California -- San Francisco.
Political posters, American -- California -- San Francisco Bay Area.
Posters -- California -- San Francisco.
Posters, American -- California -- San Francisco.
Screen prints.
Posters.