Bersano Studio Negatives, 1926-1947

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Summary

Creators:
Bersano, Angelo C. Bersano Studio
Abstract:
Extent:
571 negatives
Language:
Preferred citation:

Bersano Studio Negatives. History San Jose Research Library

Background

Scope and content:

Collection of 5x7 photographic negatives produced by Bersano Studio of Santa Clara, located at 787 Franklin Street, and operated by Angelo C. Bersano between 1926-1947. Individually cataloged. Titles are taken from original, handwritten labels on negatives. While the majority of the images appear to date from 1940-1941, a smaller series of portrait photographs likely date to circa 1928. Bersano's subjects include portrait photography, dairy farms, threshing operations, local businesses, school portraits, Holy Communion, weddings, festival queens, and a local U.S. Army installation. His customers appear to have generally come from the Italian and Portuguese communities. Box 1 contains negatives. Box 2 contains the original film boxes. While some of the boxes are labeled in pencil, the negatives themselves were not in order in the boxes and the subject matter described by the box label does not match the negatives inside.

Biographical / historical:

According to City Directories, Angelo C. Bersano is listed as the proprietor of the studio from 1926-1947, after which the business appears to have been taken over by a different operator. The 1947 directory advertises the studio as operated by Clifford E. Donahue, "Oldest Studio in Santa Clara County, Opposite Santa Clara University, Wedding, Children's and Glamour Photography Our Specialty". The business is not listed in 1949-50 directory. Eleanor Bersano is also listed as a photo finisher, and Florence Bersano as a clerk.

Acquisition information:
Donated to the museum in 2018. The donor acquired the complete set from a local photography studio.

Access and use

Restrictions:

The negatives are not open to the public; all have been scanned and can be viewed through History San Jose's online catalog.

Terms of access:

Please contact the Curator of Library & Archives for questions regarding reproduction and publication.

Preferred citation:

Bersano Studio Negatives. History San Jose Research Library

Location of this collection:
1661 Senter Road
San Jose, CA 95112, US
Contact:
(408) 287-2290
research@historysanjose.org
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