A guide to the Allan R. Ottley photograph and postcard collection, circa 1900-1992

Processed by: Amy Croft and M. Crawford, September 2012.

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Building E, Fort Mason

San Francisco, CA 94123

Phone: 415-561-7030

Fax: 415-556-3540

SAFR_Historic_Documents@nps.gov

URL: http://www.nps.gov/safr

2013

A Guide to the Allan R. Ottley photograph and postcard collection

P97-007

San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, National Park Service

2013, National Park Service

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.

Access

This collection is open for use unless otherwise noted.

Nitrate negatives are restricted from use. Digital use-copies can be provided.

Publication and Use Rights

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.

Processing Note

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.

Preferred Citation

[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

Acquisition Information

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.

Sources:

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

Chronology:

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

Collection Scope and Content

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.

Collection Arrangement

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.

Related Materials

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.

Object Collections:

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

Envelopes 1-4 in shared collection box; Nitrate Storage

Series 1. Reference and research materials, circa 1909-1990 (bulk circa 1930-1960)

Extent: 39 items

Language(s): In English.

Scope and Content Note

Items 001-039. These research and reference materials were used by Ottley during his career as a historian, consultant, and author of maritime works, including but not limited to the manuscript of his unpublished book, LEE RAIL UNDER, and the story, "Cracking for Chirikoff." Ottley's personal interests in history included maritime racing, steamboats and steamships. He was a collector of maritime photographs and research and he corresponded with other maritime enthusiasts and researchers. Topics of interest to Ottley included steamships, clippers and rowing, boat and yacht racing, and passenger vessels (material on these topics can be found in the Allan R. Ottley papers, 1823-1997 (bulk 1931-1971), San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park (SAFR 21639, HDC1374). It is likely that some if not many of the photographs from this series were used for Ottley's own research. Of particular note are photographs regarding racing that may have been used for his unpublished manuscript, LEE RAIL UNDER, which is a survey of maritime racing. This manuscript is also found in the Allan R. Ottley papers. Includes black-and-white photographic prints; postcard announcement; Christmas cards; and cellulose nitrate negatives of various vessels, mostly yachts, steamboats, sailboats and passenger vessels, as well as geographic locations. Vessel names and locations that appear in the series are listed below. There are several images of AMERICA (built 1851; yacht). Some of the photographic images are of paintings and of postcards. The original photographs were taken between 1851 to circa 1990, but the physical items in this collection were created between 1930 and 1990. Most of the photographs are reproductions of originals.

Items:

001-010, 10th Olympic Oar Finals to BREMEN: Envelope 1
011-019, COMMODORE to PIONEER: Envelope 2
020-029, REX to VILEEHI: Envelope 3
030-035, YOSEMITE and unidentified vessels: Envelope 4
036-039, Unidentified vessels at Victoria, B.C., 1909: Nitrate Storage

Vessels Represented in Series 1:

ALICE (paddle steamer: stern-wheeler)
AMELIA (built 1860; paddle steamer: side-wheeler)
AMERICA (built 1851; yacht)
AVALON (built 1920; passenger vessel: excursion vessel)
BALCLUTHA (built 1886; ship, 3m)
BREMEN (built 1896; ocean liner)
COMMODORE (built 1920; schooner, 4m)
EMMA GILES (built 1887; paddle steamer: side-wheeler)
EXPLORER (paddle steamer: stern-wheeler)
GOVERNOR DANA (paddle steamer: stern-wheeler) at the Marysville Landing, 1851
HERZOGIN SOPHIE CHARLOTTE (built 1894; square rigged vessel), windjammer
ILLINOIS (barge)
JACINTO (packet (watercraft): paddle steamer: stern-wheeler)
MANUIWA (yacht, 2m)
MARY POWELL (built 1861; paddle steamer, side-wheeler)
MONTANA (barge)
NENANA (built 1933; paddle steamer: stern-wheeler)
PIONEER (built 1852; paddle steamer: side-wheeler)
REX (built 1931; ocean liner)
RIVER QUEEN (built 1926; paddle steamer: stern-wheeler)
SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL (built 1966; schooner, 3m: training vessel)
TUSITALA (full rigged ship, 3m)
VERMONT (barge)
VIGILANT (built 1920; schooner, 5m)
VILEEHI (built 1930; ketch)
VIRGINIA (barge)
YOSEMITE (built 1863; paddle steamer, side-wheeler)
Unidentified vessels including a stern-wheeler on a Christmas card from Robert Parkins; a steamer at Mount Davis (possibly in the Ansel Adams Wilderness); an advertisement for the exhibit "Shipwrecks of the Golden Gate" at the San Francisco Maritime Museum; and vessels along the waterfront in Victoria, B. C.

Places Represented in Series 1:

Los Angeles, California: 10th Olympics, 8 Oar Finals, August 13, 1932
Sacramento City
Sacramento Valley
Victoria, B. C.

Items 001-006, 008-017, 019-039 were received in accession SAFR-01148.

Item 007: AVALON (built 1920; passenger vessel: excursion vessel), and item 018: NENANA (built 1933; paddle steamer: stern-wheeler) were received in accession SAFR-00940; these two photographs were the only photographs in the accession, and they appeared to be part of Ottley's reference and research materials since they were not part of his postcard collection.

Nitrate negatives of Victoria, B.C., 1909, were found in an envelope addressed to Ottley at the State Library from Victor R. Plukas, Bank Historian, Security Pacific National Bank, Los Angeles, California, postmarked July 30, 1971.

The following items were originally housed together in the same envelope: Item 13. EXPLORER (paddle steamer; stern-wheeler); Item 14. GOVERNOR DANA (paddle steamer; stern-wheeler) at the Marysville Landing, 1851; Item 33. unidentified vessel; and Item 34. unidentified vessel

The following items were originally housed together in the same envelope: Item 10. BREMEN (built 1896; ocean liner) and Item 15. HERZOGIN SOPHIE CHARLOTTE (built 1894; square rigged ship).

There was no supporting documentation or notation as to why any of the photographs were included together in the same envelope; therefore all the items were arranged both intellectually and physically according to vessel name.

Two postcards of BALCLUTHA (built 1886; ship, 3m) were left with the research materials in Series 1, rather than be moved to Series 2: Postcards, as they seemed to be used as research materials for his story "Cracking for Chirikoff," rather than as part of Ottley's postcard collection.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by subject.

Provenance

Items 001-006, 008-017, 019-039 were received in accession SAFR-01148.

Envelopes 5-16 in shared collection box

Series 2. Postcard collection, circa 1900-1992 (bulk circa 1900-1930s)

Extent: 129 items

Language(s): In English.

Scope and Content Note

Items 040-166. Contains picture (offset lithographs) and photographic postcards in black-and-white and color of various vessels and geographic locations, primarily from the Pacific Coast. Includes images of square-rigged vessels, paddle steamers, steamers, ferries, passenger vessels, U.S. Navy vessels and a fire boat. There are several postcards each of: SOLANO (built 1879; paddle ferry); Canadian Pacific Railway passenger vessels; Sacramento, California, and the Sacramento Valley; and Mare Island Naval Yard. Vessels and locations are listed in the respective file units below.

Note: These postcards appear to be items that Ottley collected, as some have inscriptions to other people, and some are addressed to him and his wife.

Arrangement

Arranged into two file units: File Unit 1: Vessels; File Unit 2: Places. Items are arranged alphabetically within each file unit.

Envelopes 5-12 in shared collection box

File Unit 1. Vessels, circa 1900-1988

Extent: 82 items.

Physical Description: Black-and-white and color photographic and picture postcards

Scope and Content Note

Items 040-119. Includes black-and-white and color photographic and picture postcards of various vessels, including square-rigged vessels, paddle steamers, steamers, ferries, passenger vessels, U.S. Navy vessels and a fire boat. Vessels are mostly from the Pacific Coast. Images on the postcards date from circa 1857 to circa 1988; the postcards themselves date from circa 1900-1988.

Items:

040-049, ALICE to DAKOTA: Envelope 5
050-059, DELTA KING to EPPLETON HALL: Envelope 6
060-069, EULALIE to INDEPENDENCE: Envelope 7
070-079, JASON to MONTRIO: Envelope 8
080-091, NAVAJO to PRINCE GEORGE: Envelope 9
092-101, PRINCE ROBERT to SHERIDAN: Envelope 10
102-112, SOLANO to WINEMA: Envelope 11
113-119, Unidentified vessels: Envelope 12

Note: Item 040, ALICE, and item 102, SOLANO, each contain two copies of the same postcard.

Vessels Represented in File Unit 1:

ALAMEDA (dredge)
ALICE (square-rigged vessel)
BEAVER (built 1835; paddle steamer: side-wheeler)
BECKY (excursion boat)
BERKELEY (built 1898; ferry)
BENNINGTON (built 1890; gunboat: U.S. Navy PG-43)
CASCA (built 1898; passenger vessel, stern-wheeler)
CLAN GALBRAITH (bark)
CLEOPATRA (excursion boat)
CORWIN (steamship)
DAKOTA (merchant vessel)
DELTA KING (built 1926; paddle riverboat)
DELTA QUEEN (built 1926; paddle riverboat)
DENNIS T. SULLIVAN (built 1909; fireboat)
EL CAPITAN (built 1868; paddle ferry)
EMPRESS (launch)
EMPRESS JAPAN (built 1891; passenger vessel)
EPPLETON HALL (built 1914; paddle tugboat)
EULALIE (launch)
FORT SUTTER (built 1912; paddle riverboat)
GENERAL FRISBIE (built 1900; ferry)
GOLD (built 1899; paddle riverboat)
GOLDEN HINDE II (built 1973; galleon)
GREAT NORTHERN (built 1915; passenger vessel)
HERCULES (built 1907; tugboat)
HERMOSA (passenger vessel)
INDEPENDENCE (built 1814; frigate)
JASON (built 1944; naval auxiliary ship: U.S. Navy, AR-8)
KLAMATH (passenger vessel)
M. R. CHESSMAN (built 1947; ferry)
MALOLO (built 1927; passenger vessel)
MANITOWAC (built 1969; transport: U.S. Navy LST-1180)
MARIPOSA (built 1931; passenger vessel)
MARY GARRATT (built 1878; riverboat)
MAUI (built 1917; passenger vessel)
MAYFLOWER II (built 1956; square-rigged vessel)
MONTICELLO (built 1892; ferry)
MONTRIO (paddle steamer, stern-wheeler)
NAVAJO (built 1909; riverboat)
NEWARK (built 1877; paddle ferry)
Northern Navigation Company steamers
Noyo Fishing Fleet
OLYMPIC (built 1938; ferry)
ONWARD (schooner, 3m)
ORIANA (built 1959; ocean liner)
PRINCE GEORGE (built 1910; passenger vessel)
PRINCE ROBERT (built 1930; passenger vessel)
PRINCE SS KATHLEEN (built 1925; merchant vessel)
PRINCE SS MARGUERITE (built 1949; merchant vessel)
PRINCE SS MARY (built 1910; merchant vessel)
QUEEN OF ALBERNI (built 1976; ferry)
ROYAL PRINCE SS (ocean liner)
STAR OF INDIA (built 1863, bark, 3m)
SAN FRANCISCO (built 1905; ferry)
SEMINOLA (riverboat)
SHERIDAN (built 1891; U.S. Army transport)
SOLANO (built 1879; paddle ferry)
ST. CHARLES OF BATH (square rigger)
STANLEY (steamship)
TAHOE (built 1896; passenger vessel)
VIKING STAR (excursion boat)
WASHINGTON (built 1905; cruiser: U.S. Navy ACR-11)
WINEMA (built 1904; paddle steamer, stern-wheeler)
Unidentified vessels include: Coos Bay lumber ship, ferries, a fishing boat, passenger vessels, and a square-rigged vessel

Places Represented in File Unit 1:

Astoria, Oregon
Antioch, California
Benicia, California
Catalina Island, California
Coos Bay, Oregon
Eureka, California
Georgetown, Prince Edward Island
Klamath Lake, Oregon
Lake Tahoe, California
Manila, Philippines
Mare Island, California
Mendocino Coast, California
New York, New York
Nome, Alaska
Noyo, California
Olympic Peninsula, Washington
Ohio River
Panama Canal
Russian River, California
Sacramento River, California
Sacramento, California
San Diego, California
San Francisco, California
San Juan Islands, Washington
Skagway, Alaska
Stockton, California
Vallejo, California
Vancouver, B. C.
Victoria, B. C.

Envelopes 13-16 in shared collection box

File Unit 2. Places, circa 1900-1992

Extent: 47 items.

Physical Description: Black-and-white and color picture and photographic postcards

Scope and Content Note

Items 120-166. Includes black-and-white and color photographic and picture postcards from various geographic locations, primarily but not limited to the Pacific Coast, rivers and lakes in California. Many images depict waterfronts and/or vessels are in view. Vessel types include ferries and passenger vessels, fishing boats, steamers, schooners, naval vessels and a submarine. Photographs on the postcards date from 1849 to circa 1992; the postcards themselves were created from circa 1900-1992. Locations of prominence are Sacramento, California, and the Sacramento River Valley and Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California.

Items:

120-127, Albany, Oregon, to Cave Rock, Lake Tahoe, California: Envelope 13
128-140, Lake Chapala, Mexico, to Mare Island, California: Envelope 14
141-150, Mendocino Harbor, California, to Port Blakeley, Washington: Envelope 15
151-166, Port Costa, California, to Washington State salmon cannery: Envelope 16

Places Represented in File Unit 2:

Albany, Oregon
Albion, California
Antioch, California
Arch Rock, Santa Catalina Island, California
Campbell River, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
Columbia River
Cave Rock, Lake Tahoe, California
Charleston, South Carolina
Fisherman's Wharf, San Francisco, California
Honolulu, Hawaii
Lake Chapala, Mexico
Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County, California
Mare Island Naval Shipyard
Mendocino Harbor, California
Napa, California
Oregon State University, Marine Science Center, Newport, Oregon
Pittsburg, Pennsylvania
Port Angeles, Washington
Port Blakely, Washington
Port Costa, California
Portland, Oregon
Redondo Beach, California
Sacramento, California
San Jose, California
Stockton, California
Trinidad, California
Vallejo, California
Victoria, British Columbia, Outer Wharf
Waikiki, Honolulu
Washington State