Lavenson (Alma) photographs of the California Mother Lode, 1933-1967

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Summary

Title:
Alma Lavenson photographs of the California Mother Lode
Dates:
1933-1967
Abstract:
Photographs of the California Mother Lode region taken by Alma Lavenson during the 1930s through the 1960s.
Extent:
1.5 Linear Feet (3 flat boxes; 77 prints)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item, date] Alma Lavenson Photographs of the California Mother Lode, 1933-1967 (PC RM Lavenson). California Historical Society Collection at Stanford, Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, California.

Background

Scope and content:

Contains 77 gelatin silver prints of the Mother Lode region taken from the 1930s through the 1960s. Includes photos of Gold Rush era ruins, towns and countryside. Pictured are churches, hotels, firehouses, cemeteries, courthouses, personal residences and commercial buildings, including three Chinese businesses. Also contains a few photos of the the effects of hydraulic erosion on the landscape, and a photographer of Imogen Cunningham, from the back, standing in a doorway.

Acquisition information:
Photographs of the California Mother Lode by Alma Lavenson were donated to the California Historical Society by Paul Wahrhaftig in 1995, 1996, and 1998; and Albert Wahrhaftig in 1998. Transferred to Stanford University Libraries in 2025.
Arrangement:

Photographs arranged by accession year: 1995 (Box 1), 1996 (Box 3), and 1998 (Box 2).

Physical / technical requirements:

Prints are signed on verso. Most of the prints in Box 3 are matted.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Processed by Welker, Wendy.
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-12-04 15:21:56 -0800 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for research. Special Collections and University Archives materials are stored offsite and must be paged three business days in advance. For more information on paging collections, see the department's website: https://library.stanford.edu/libraries/special-collections.

Terms of access:

While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns. See: http://library.stanford.edu/spc/using-collections/permission-publish.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item, date] Alma Lavenson Photographs of the California Mother Lode, 1933-1967 (PC RM Lavenson). California Historical Society Collection at Stanford, Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, California.

Location of this collection:
Department of Special Collections, Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-6004, US
Contact:
(650) 725-1022
chscollection@stanford.edu
Website