Description
The collection consists of 298
photographs, 1878-1951 (bulk 1890-1915), collected by American portraitist and landscape painter Orrin Peck and his sister
Janet M. Peck. Primarily portraits, the photographs depict
friends and acquaintances (both identified and unidentified) of Orrin and Janet Peck,
with particular emphasis on Phoebe Apperson Hearst and William Randolph Hearst. Also
included are California scenes, including numerous views of San Francisco; unidentified
residential exteriors and interiors; views of Mrs. Hearst's home, La Hacienda del Pozo
de Verona in Alameda County, California; and views of William Randolph Hearst's castle
"Wyntoon" (designed by architect Julia Morgan) near Mount Shasta, California.
Background
Orrin M. Peck (1860-1921), was born in Hobart, New York. His mother Margaret befriended
Phoebe Apperson Hearst (1842-1919) on a steamship voyage from Panama to San Francisco.
Peck became a close friend of Phoebe's son, William Randolph Hearst (1863-1951), and
served as best man at his wedding. Peck studied art in Munich where he collaborated with
Carl von Marr (1858-1936) on some of his work. Peck became an accomplished portrait and
landscape painter. He was commisssioned to paint portraits of Mrs. Hearst and William
Randolph Hearst, one of which hangs in Hearst's San Simeon, where Peck also designed the
landscaping in 1920. Peck died suddenly in Los Angeles in 1921.
Extent
5 boxes (4.58 linear feet)
Restrictions
All requests for permission to publish photographs must be submitted in writing to the Curator of Photographs. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the Huntington as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or
imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Availability
The collection is open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information,
please visit the Huntington's website: www.huntington.org.