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A guide to the Allan R. Ottley photograph and postcard collection, circa 1900-1992
P97-007 (SAFR 21641)
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Title: Allan R. Ottley photograph and postcard collection
Date: circa 1900-1992
Date (bulk): 1902-1950s
Identifier/Call Number: P97-007 (SAFR 21641)
Creator:
Ottley, Allan R.
Physical Description:
168 items.
Repository:
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, Historic Documents Department
Building E, Fort Mason
San Francisco, CA 94123
Abstract: The Allan R. Ottley photograph and postcard collection, 1900-1992 (bulk 1902-1950s), (SAFR 21641, P97-007) is comprised of
photographic material Allan used for research and reference, and postcards that were sent to or collected by Allan Ottley
and his wife, Nancy. These photographs and postcards are primarily of various types of vessels on the Pacific Coast.
Physical Location: San Francisco Maritime NHP, Historic Documents Department
Language(s):
In English.
This collection is open for use unless otherwise noted.
Nitrate negatives are restricted from use. Digital use-copies can be provided.
Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the researcher's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other
case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.
Accession SAFR-01148 was cataloged first, at the collection level, in 2007. There was no apparent arrangement to the collection
and some of the photographs were in original enclosures. In 2012, accession SAFR-00940 was accrued into (SAFR 21641, P97-007).
At this time, both accessions were fully processed; each item was given an item number and placed into an appropriate series/file
unit. Since there was no apparent original order, the items have been placed in alphabetical order within each series/file
unit.
Dates given for the items reflect the date of manufacture of the photograph or postcard. Many of the photographic prints and
postcards in this collection are copies of photographs and were made later than when the original photograph was taken. When
the date of the image depicted is different from the manufacture date and is known, it is noted in the respective scope notes.
The descriptions in this collection guide were compiled using the best available sources of information. Such sources include
the creator's annotations or descriptions, collection accession files, primary and secondary source material and subject matter
experts. While every effort was made to provide accurate information, in the event that you find any errors in this guide
please contact the reference staff in order for us to evaulate and make corrections to this guide.
Please cite the title and collection number in any correspondence with our staff.
[Item description], [Location within collection organization identified by Collection Number/Series Number/File Unit Number/Item
Number], P97-007 (SAFR 21641), Allan R. Ottley photograph and postcard collection, San Francisco Maritime National Historical
Park
SAFR-00940
SAFR-01148
The first gift (SAFR-940) was received on June 2, 1995, from Allan R. Ottley. The accession contained postcards of various
vessels and maritime scenes. This accession was accrued to this collection (SAFR 21641, P97-007) in September 2012, and at
this time the collection name was changed to "The Allan R. Ottley photograph and postcard collection."
The second gift (SAFR-1148) was received on December 2, 2007, from Allan R. Ottley. This accession contained photographs,
post cards, pictures and nitrate negatives; personal papers (including correspondence; research notes; a typed manuscript
of the unpublished book, LEE RAIL UNDER; and newsletters); and objects (a belaying pin from the ANNIE M. REID, two plates
and a lapel pin). The personal papers and objects received with this accession have each been cataloged separately. In 2007,
the photographic material in SAFR-01148 was cataloged as the "Allan R. Ottley photograph collection" (SAFR 21641, P97-007).
Historical or Biographical Note
Allan Robert Ottley (1909-2000) was a librarian and supervisor of the California Room at the California State Library from
1953-1971. He was also an historian and author.
Allan Robert Ottley was born on March 4, 1909 in Vancouver, B.C. to Montague R. Ottley and Catherine Annie Ottley (also seen
spelled as Katherine), who were both born in England. The family moved to California when he was 13. Ottley graduated from
Santa Barbara High School and earned a B.A. in English and Journalism from Santa Barbara State College in 1934. He trained
as a librarian in Riverside, and later worked for the Humboldt County and Sacramento City Libraries, as well as on a WPA cataloging
project for the California Department of Education. He was married to Ruth "Nancy" C. Carroll Ottley (January 13, 1913-October
19, 1992).
Ottley served with the Navy in the South Pacific during WWII and was mustered on U.S.S. Antrim (AK-159) on August 24, 1945.
After his service, he began his long association with the California Section of the California State Library. According to
historian Albert L. Hurtado, he became supervisor of the California Room in 1953 and held that post until he retired in 1971.
Ottley served on several committees of the California Library Association, and he was a founding member and past-president
of the Sacramento Book Collectors Club and the Sacramento County Historical Society. Governor Pat Brown appointed Ottley to
serve on the Civil War Centennial Commission, the California History Commission and the California Heritage Preservation Commission.
Ottley's first book, the "first substantial biography of John A. Sutter, Jr." was the second volume published by the Sacramento
Book Collectors Club. "The Sutter Family and the Origins of Gold Rush Sacramento," edited, with a biography by Ottley, was
originally
published in 1943 and reissued, with an introduction by Hurtado, in 2002. Ottley also wrote other books, including "John A.
Sutter's Last Days: The Bidwell Letters" which was published in 1986.
Ottley published numerous works for the Sacramento Book Collectors Club, Sidewalk History and the Sacramento City Historic
Landmarks Commission and many articles for such journals as the California Historian, Proceedings of the Conference of California
Historical Societies and the quarterly newsletter of the Book Club of California. In addition to being works of history, his
publications were considered fine examples of the bookmaker's art. Ottley won the Sacramento Book Club's coveted Oscar Lewis
award for Western History in 1999. He died on December 30, 2000, in Beaverton, Oregon at the age of 91.
- California State Library. (1999). Guide to the Allan Ottley papers. Accessed from the Online Archive of California at http://content.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/tf2x0n98t4/
- Library and Archives of Canada. (2007). 1911 Census of Canada. Census Place: New
- Westminster, British Columbia; Page: 28; Family No: 198. Accessed September 11, 2012, from from ancestry.com
- State of California. (2000). California Death Index, 1940-1997. Place: Sacramento; Date: 19 Oct
- 1992; Social Security: 558143981. Accessed on September 11, 2012, from ancestry.com
- Sutter, J., & Ottley, A. R. (2002). Sutter Family and the Origins of Gold-Rush Sacramento. University of Oklahoma Press. E-book version retrieved on September 11, 2012, from http://www.netlibrary.com.ezproxy.sfpl.org/Reader/
- United States of America Bureau of the Census. (1940). United States Federal Census:
- Place: Sacramento, Sacramento, California; Roll: T627_282; Page: 7B; Enumeration District: 34-53. Accessed September 11, 2012, from ancestry.com
- 1909 - Born in Vancouver, B. C.
- 1934 - Graduated from Santa Barbara State College (currently known as the University of California, Santa Barbara)
- 1939 - Founded Sacramento Book Collectors Club
- 1943 - Published "The Sutter Family and the Origins of Gold Rush Sacramento"
- 1963 - Published "Crypt of Sacramento's Founder"
- 1953 - Became supervisor of the California Room of the California State Library
- 1971 - Retired from the California State Library
- 1986 - Published "John A. Sutter's Last Days: The Bidwell Letters"
- 1999 - Won the Oscar Lewis Award for Western History
- 2000 - Died in Beaverton, Oregon
The Allan R. Ottley photograph and postcard collection, 1900-1992 (bulk 1902-1950s), (SAFR 21641, P97-007) is comprised of
photographic material Allan used for research and reference, and postcards that were sent to or collected by Allan Ottley
and his wife, Nancy. These photographs and postcards are primarily of various types of vessels on the Pacific Coast.
Consists of black-and-white photographic prints; nitrate negatives; color lithographs; Christmas cards; and black-and-white
and color photographic and picture postcards of vessels and places. Most of the vessels are pictured along the Pacific Coast
or on the Sacramento River, California. The places depicted are primarily on the Pacific Coast, including Mexico. Many of
the vessels are paddle steamers and other passenger vessels, but also include yachts, square-rigged vessels, schooners, merchant
vessels and government vessels. Not all vessels are identified by name.
Organized into two series: Series 1: Reference and research materials; Series 2: Postcard collection.
Series 2 is further organized into two file units: File Unit 1: Vessels; File Unit 2: Places.
The collection is arranged alphabetically by vessel and place names within each series or file unit.
Manuscript Collection:
Allan R. Ottley papers, 1823-1997 (bulk 1931-1971). (SAFR 21639, HDC1374)
This collection consists of approximately one linear foot of correspondence, notes and typescripts related to librarian Allan
R. Ottley's research on sea racing and ships in California.
- Sign. (SAFR 15300). "Flags," undated.
- Sign. (SAFR 15402). "Officers W.C.," undated.
- Pin, Belaying. (SAFR 15422). ANNIE M. REED Rolph 1892 4M Bark, circa 1910-1935.
- Button. (SAFR 15423). Opening of San Francisco's Pier 96 Lash Port, 1972.
- This material is located at San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Manuscript Collection:
Allan Ottley papers, ca. 1955-1979. (2212-2219). Guide available at http://content.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/tf2x0n98t4/
- This material is located at California State Library
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Postcards--Collectors and collecting
Postcards
Marine photography
Merchant ships--United States--History--20th century
Paddle steamers
Passenger ships
Cargo ships
Yachting
Yachting--History
Government vessels--United States
Coastwise shipping--Pacific Coast (U.S.)
Shipping--Pacific Coast (North America)--History--Pictorial works
Ships--California--San Francisco--Pictorial works
Ottley, Allan. R.
America (yacht)
Solano (built 1879; railroad ferry)
Canadian Pacific Railway Company
Pacific Coast (U.S.)
Mare Island Naval Shipyard
Sacramento Valley (Calif.)
Sacramento (Calif.)
San Francisco Bay Area (Calif.)
Harbors--California
Black-and-white prints (photographs)
Black-and-white negatives
Cellulose nitrate film
Color lithographs
Gelatin silver prints
Offset lithographs
Photographic postcards
Photomechanical prints
Picture postcards