The artificial collection contains over 155,000 photographic prints of San Francisco places, activities and cultural resources collected by the San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library compiled from selections from the San Francisco News-Call Bulletin Photo Morgue, gifts of donors, and purchases. The collection spans more than a century of San Francisco from the early 1870s to 2000s. The images provide comprehensive information about many activities and events important to San Francisco and its 20th century growth.

The collection was collected and assembled by the San Francisco History Center, San Francisco Public Library. The creation of the collection and the selection process focused on significant 19th and 20th century San Francisco subjects in San Francisco history. The collection includes photo subjects extracted from the San Francisco News-Call Bulletin Photo Morgue, multiple accessions and donations acquired.

129 linear feet. Approximately 155,000 photographic prints in 7,690 folders.

Dependent upon date of photograph and photographer, some photographs are in the Public Domain. 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.