San Francisco Postcard Collection, 1900-1990
Online content
Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- San Francisco Postcard Collection
- Dates:
- 1900-1990
- Creators:
- San Francisco Public Library. San Francisco Public Library. San Francisco History Center.
- Abstract:
- Extent:
- 5,000 postcards
- Language:
- Preferred citation:
-
San Francisco Postcard Collection. San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco History Center
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The artificial collection contains over 5,000 photomechanical postcards of San Francisco, California collected by the San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library. The postcards range in date from the turn of the 20th century to 1990s. Events depicted on the postcards include world expositions the Panama-Pacific International Exposition and the Golden Gate International Exposition and the disaster 1906 Earthquake and Fire. Places represented are significant San Francisco buildings, businesses, hotels and restaurants as well as many general views. Postcard publishers include by Edward H. Mitchell, Curt Teich, Smith News Company, Pacific Novelty Company, Stanley A. Piltz Company, and Mike Roberts. Some postcards have handwritten inscriptions and are stamped and posted. There are a small number of postcards sets and postcards with holiday greetings and cartoons.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Collected by the San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library.
- Acquisition information:
- Collected from various sources, including donations and purchases.
Indexed terms
- Subjects:
- San Francisco Earthquake and Fire, Calif., 1906 -- Pictorial works.
Panama-Pacific International Exposition (1915 : San Francisco, Calif.) -- Pictorial works.
Golden Gate International Exposition (1939-1940 : San Francisco, Calif.) -- Pictorial works
Postcards
Postcards -- California -- San Francisco
Ephemera - Places:
- San Francisco (Calif.) -- 20th century -- Pictorial works
About this collection guide
- Date Prepared:
- 1900-1990
- Date Encoded:
- This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:55 p.m.
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
The collection is available for use during Photo Desk hours.
- Terms of access:
-
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.
- Preferred citation:
-
San Francisco Postcard Collection. San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco History Center
- Location of this collection:
-
San Francisco Public Library100 Larkin StreetSan Francisco, CA 94102, US
- Contact:
- (415) 557-4567