Finding aid to the Lynn Ludwig Photographs Collection, 1988-1998
Finding aid prepared by Tim Wilson
James C. Hormel Gay & Lesbian Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA, 94102
(415) 557-4400
info@sfpl.org
2012
Title: Lynn Ludwig Photographs Collection,
Date (inclusive): 1988-1998
Collection Identifier: GLC 65
Creator:
Ludwig, Lynn
Physical Description:
41 scrapbooks + circa 200 encapsulated photographs in 3 oversized boxes
(25.0 cubic feet)
Contributing Institution:
James C. Hormel Gay & Lesbian Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 557-4567
info@sfpl.org
Abstract: Portraits and informal photographs of gay bears, gay bear events, Ludwig family and events, holidays, Northern California
scenery and locations. There are some flyers included in the albums, as well as attendance name badges.
Physical Location: The collection is stored onsite.
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in
English.
Access
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.
Publication Rights
Copyright retained by Lynn Ludwig. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing
to the City Archivist.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Lynn Ludwig Photographs Collection (GLC 65), Gay and Lesbian Center, San Francisco Public Library.
Provenance
Donated by Lynn Ludwig, June 2010.
Biographical note
Lynn Ludwig is a gay photographer based in the San Francisco Bay area. His work has centered on documenting the "gay bear"
social scene and many gay events such as the Harrison, Folsom and Castro Street fairs and San Francisco Pride parades.
Scope and Contents
The subjects of Ludwig's photographs include gay bear events, gay bears, Ludwig family and events, holiday photographs, Northern
California scenery and locations. There are some flyers included in the albums, as well as attendance name badges. In addition,
there are sometimes announcements for weddings or anniversary parties, and obituaries and notices for memorial services. Many
albums record attendees at bear social events which often include annual contests for Mr. San Francisco Bear, hot tubs, swimming
pools, and bars. Many of the swimming photos appear to be taken at Fifes in the Russian River, Guerneville area. Lots of skin,
tattoos, and some albums contain nudity.
Ludwig numbered his early photograph albums. He has chosen to keep some of the early numbered albums, such as "Album 1" because
it contains family photographs. Consequently, the collection contains 41 scrapbooks which begin with Ludwig's "Album 2." There
is a note for each album with an original number.
Arrangement
Arranged by format, then chronologically.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Ludwig, Lynn--Pictorial works
Bears (Gay culture)--California--San Francisco
Fairs--California--San Francisco
Gay men--California--San Francisco--Social life and customs--20th century
Gay men--United States--Portraits
Scrapbooks,
1988-1998
Physical Description:
41.0 boxes
Box 1
Bernie / Terry, Tom and Gary Visit, San Francisco; Eagle Fair 1988; New York City with Carl / Gay Pride 1988; Lots of miscellaneous
1988,
1988
General note
Labeled: "Album 2" originally.
Box 2
Lynn Ludwig; Folsom Street Fair 1989; Eagle Bar 1989; Big Men's Girth and Mirth Los Angeles 1989; Road trip Los Angeles to
San Francisco, September 1989 (Hearst Castle, San Simeon); Eagle, August 1989; Folsom Street Fair, September 1989; Castro
Street Fair, August 1989; photo of earthquake damaged building, October 1989; Miscellaneous Boston April 1990; Gay Pride,
June 1990; Dore Alley Fair, July 1990,
1989-1990
General note
Labeled: Album "3" originally. Some bare bottoms.
Box 3
Chicago Girth and Mirth; Folsom Street Fair; Round About the Bay photos Summer 1987 and Halloween 1987; Round About New Year's
1988/1989; Round About May 1989; "Shaklee Shakers" Bowl for Kids' Sake March 1989; [Castro Street Fair] 1990; Christmas 1990,
1989-1990
General note
Labeled: Album "4" originally. Some bare bottoms.
Box 4
Private Bear Party; Miscellaneous Lone Star; Girth and Mirth Party; Miscellaneous Eagle, Lone Star,
1991
Box 5
San Francisco Gay Pride June 1991?; Lone Star after party; John and Gary's Pool Party, July; Contra Costa Fair, July; Dore
Alley Street Fair, July,
1991
General note
Labeled Album "6" originally. Some nudity.
Box 6
Chicago Big Men's Conference, April 1991; card for European Big Men's Convention 1991 in Brussels, Belgium,
1991
General note
Labeled: Album "7" originally. Some bare bottoms.
Box 7
Folsom Street Fair, September; [Affiliated Bigmen's Clubs] Convergence 1991 (Boston, MA); Castro Street Fair, September; Miscellaneous
Halloween Castro; Christmas work party; Christmas home party,
1991
General note
Contains some nudity.
Box 8
"10,"
undated
General note
Labeled "10" originally.
Box 9
Bear Expo, February 1992; Western Conference Las Vegas, May 1992,
1992
General note
Contains some bare bottoms.
Box 10
"ABC 1992 Convergence, San Francisco, Affiliated Bigmen's Clubs,"
1992
General note
Labeled "12" originally.
Box 11
Castro Street Fair; Bear Expo,
September 1992-May 1993
General note
Contains some nudity.
Box 12
April 1993. House party; scenic photos; Castro; Eagle bar; Washington D.C.; 1993 ABC [Affiliated Bigmen's Clubs] Western Conference;
Shaklee gathering,
1993
General note
Contains some nudity.
Box 13
June 1993 Gay Pride; August 1993 Glen's birthday / Dore Alley Fair,
1993
General note
Contains some nudity.
Box 14
February 1994 Bear Party; BIGAD Bust, Palm Springs; International Bear Rendezvous 1996,
1994-1996
General note
Contains some nudity.
Box 15
March 1994 Darryl's Farewell; April 1994 Wildwood; May 1994 ABC (Associated Bigmen's Clubs) Western Conference Las Vegas,
1994
General note
Contains some bare bottoms.
Box 16
April 1994 Folsom Street Fair; December 1994 Christmas; January 1995 Lou's wedding,
1994-1995
Box 17
February 1995 Bear Pride; April 1995 Diane's birthday,
1995
Box 18
April 1995 Northwest Bears Spring Thaw; [San Francisco Pride Parade],
1995
General note
Contains some nudity.
Box 20
July 1995 Lone Star / Bears Of San Francisco Angel Island; September 1995 Convergence Seattle; Folsom Street Fair; October
1995 Castro Street Fair,
1995
General note
Contains some nudity.
Box 21
September 1995 Folsom Street Fair; October 1995 Castro Street Fair; February 1996 BIGAD Palm Springs,
1995-1996
General note
Contains some nudity.
Box 22
Orlando Bear Bust,
October 1995
General note
Contains some bare buns.
Box 23
[Halloween; Lone Star 1995; International Bear Rendezvous 1996],
October 1995-1996
General note
Contains some nudity.
Box 24
April 1996 Company picnic; June 1996 San Francisco Gay Pride, ABC (Affiliated Big Men's Clubs) Western Conference in San Francisco;
July 1996 Lazy Bear, BOSF (Bears of San Francisco) Angel Island; August 1996 Dore Alley,
1996
General note
Contains some nudity, sex acts.
Box 25
May 1996 Don's birthday; May 1996 John M's birthday; May 1996 Spring Thaw Seattle; June 1996 Bear Pride Chicago,
1996
General note
Contains some nudity, sex acts.
Box 26
Miscellaneous BIGAD Convergence San Diego August 1996; Folsom Street Fair 1996; Castro Street Fair 1996,
1996
General note
Contains some nudity.
Box 27
Big Men's Weekend, Palm Springs, October 1996; Northwest Bears 6th Anniversary, October 1996; Orlando Bear Bust 1996 photos
courtesy of John Malanga; Southern Decadence photos courtesy of John Malanga; Jeff T. for Bear Mag; Mike S. Visits San Francisco
November 1996; Chaz S. for Bear Mag; Mr. San Francisco Bear at Lone Star, November 1996; Mr. South Bay Bear; Birthday Bash
1997 identification card,
1996-1997
General note
Contains some nudity.
Box 28
Le Salon; Spring Thaw 1997; Lone Star,
1997
General note
Contains some nudity.
Box 29
Bear Pride Chicago,
May 1997
General note
Contains some nudity.
Box 30
June 1997 Wildwood; June 1997 Gay Pride; July 1997 Russ Bowden, Dana Callen, Chub Hug,
1997
General note
Contains some nudity.
Box 31
July 1997 Lazy Bear Weekend; Dore Alley Fair,
1997
General note
Contains some nudity.
Box 32
August 1997 Ludwig Family Reunion, Southern Decadence (New Orleans); September 1997 Folsom Street Fair,
1997
General note
Contains some nudity.
Box 33
International Bear Rendezvous,
1997
General note
Contains some nudity.
Box 34
[Poolside photographs mainly],
1998
Box 35
International Bear Rendezvous 1998 [Kinsey Sicks]; Lone Star, March 1998; Shoot: Don and Chris, February 1998; Lone Star Sunday
April 1998; Shoot: Ralf,
1998
General note
Contains some nudity.
Box 36
Lazy Bear 1998; Dore Alley Fair 1998,
1998
General note
Contains some nudity.
Box 37
[1998. San Francisco Musee Mechanique, San Francisco cityscape from Twin Peaks, Lone Star Saloon, Vince's 40th birthday party,
Mr. Golden State Bear, Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Castro Street Fair],
1998
General note
Contains some nudity.
Box 38
[Portraits, 11 inches x 17 inches],
1997
Box 39
[Big Stuff in the Castro; Castro Street Fair; South Bay Bears; …Lone Star],
1997
General note
Contains some nudity.
Box 40
[Portraits and crowd scenes, 17 inches x 11 inches. Includes San Francisco Gay Pride, Russian River? Fifes?,
1990s
General note
Contains some bare bottoms.
Box 41
[Portraits, 11 inches x 17 inches. Some Dore Alley Fair, San Francisco Pride Parade],
undated
General note
Contains some nudity.
Boxes 42-44
Encapsulated Photographs,
undated
Physical Description:
ca. 200 photographs, 11 inches x 17 inches
