Ernest Born Collection of Italian Medieval and Renaissance Architectural and Art Photographs, ca. 1890-1920

Collection context

Summary

Creators:
Born, Ernest, 1898 -
Abstract:
Ernest Born was born in 1898. He studied architecture under John Galen Howard at the University of California, Berkeley and then went to work in Europe. After the war Born returned to architectural practice in San Francisco. He also became professor of architecture at the University of California, Berkeley, during which time he designed additions and alterations to the William Randolph Hearst Theater on the Berkeley campus, and began his association with Walter Horn. The collection consists of 2128 photographs in 27 photograph albums. Most are silver prints, with a few albumen prints as well. The majority of the photographs are by the Alinari Company, but there are smaller but significant groups of photographs by Brogi, Anderson and others.
Extent:
27 photograph albums in 27 oversize boxes.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of 2128 photographs in 27 photograph albums. Most are silver prints, with a few albumen prints as well. The majority of the photographs are by the Alinari Company, but there are smaller but significant groups of photographs by Brogi, Anderson and others. The prints are mostly 9" x 12", and most include identifications at the bottom of the print.

Biographical / historical:

Ernest Born was born in 1898. He studied architecture under John Galen Howard at the University of California, Berkeley and then went to work in Europe. On his return he worked in New York for almost ten years with the distinguished architects Gehron and Ross, and Arthur Loomis Harmon, and on special projects with Corbett, Harrison and McMurray. In the 1930s he worked as art director with Architectural Records and then with Architectural Forum. Born's architectural practice in San Francisco began with exhibit buildings and exhibit design at the 1939/40 Golden State International Exposition in Treasure Island. He spent the war years in Manaus, Brazil, with architect Gardner Dailey, and then in the US on special military projects. After the war Born returned to architectural practice in San Francisco. He also became professor of architecture at the University of California, Berkeley, during which time he designed additions and alterations to the William Randolph Hearst Theater on the Berkeley campus, and began his association with Walter Horn. Throughout the 1960s Born was consultant to the Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART). He was appointed to the San Francisco Art Commission by several mayors, and served as chairman of its Civic, Design, Planning and Architecture committee. Through the 1970's Born devoted himself almost exclusively to working on The plan of St. Gaul with Walter Horn.

Acquisition information:
Gift of of Ludwig Lauerhass Jr., October, 2004.
Processing information:

Processed by Simon Elliott, February 2006.

Arrangement:

The photographs are contained in 27 cloth bound volumes and are arranged by subject and by country.

Physical location:
Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Location of this collection:
A1713 Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575, US
Contact:
(310) 825-4988