Edward W. Cochems photographs, circa 1919-1980 and undated, bulk 1919-1949

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Summary

Creators:
Cochems, Edward W. (Edward William)
Abstract:
This collection is comprised of approximately 1,200 photographs taken by Edward William Cochems, a prominent commercial photographer in Santa Ana, California, between ca. 1919-ca. 1949. The images are principally views of Southern California, primarily Orange County locations. Areas receiving the most coverage include San Juan Capistrano, Del Mar, the Irvine Ranch (80 images), Laguna Beach (120 images), the Rosicrucians monastery (Oceanside, California), San Luis Rey Mission, and Santa Ana (55 images). There are approximately 40 studio portraits by Cochems in the collection. Approximately 130 images are of unidentified subjects. Individual photographs are undated.
Extent:
8.2 Linear Feet (23 boxes and 1 oversize folder)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Edward W. Cochems photographs. MS-R016. Special Collections and Archives, The UC Irvine Libraries, Irvine, California. Date accessed.

For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection is comprised of approximately 1,200 photographs taken by Edward William Cochems, a prominent commercial photographer in Santa Ana, California, between ca. 1919-ca. 1949. The images are principally views of Southern California, primarily Orange County locations. Areas receiving the most coverage include San Juan Capistrano, Del Mar, the Irvine Ranch (80 images), Laguna Beach (120 images), the Rosicrucians monastery (Oceanside, California), San Luis Rey Mission, and Santa Ana (55 images). There are approximately 40 studio portraits by Cochems in the collection. Approximately 130 images are of unidentified subjects. Individual photographs are undated.

A selection of images from this collection has been digitized and is available in Calisphere.

Biographical / historical:

Edward W. Cochems was born in Chicago on October 13, 1874 and died in Orange, California, on July 31, 1949 at the age of 74. He married Emma Glaser of Chicago, Illinois, on October 14, 1902; they had one daughter, Adeline, born on July 10, 1904.

Cochems came to Orange County from Los Angeles in 1915, where he had collaborated with Henry Hauser since 1912 in the operation of the following community newspapers: Artesia News, Bellflower Herald, a newspaper in Downey and the Buena Park Herald. A self-taught photographer, he operated his own commercial photography business, "Cochems the Photographer," in four different Santa Ana locations between 1915 and ca. 1947. His firm specialized in commercial photography, though he was engaged in making motion pictures and served as photography instructor from 1939-1944 for the adult education program at Lathrop Junior High School.

Cochems was involved in many civic and fraternal organizations, including IOOF (Odd Fellows), Knights of Pythias, Moose Lodge, Santa Ana Breakfast Club, and others. He formed the first Association of Photographers in Santa Ana and was its first President. He held a life membership in the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Laguna Beach Art Association. Additional biographical information, including essays written by Cochems and by his daughter Adeline, is on file.

Acquisition information:
Gifts of Eldon McNeil (negatives) and Adeline Cochems Walker (Mrs. Weston Walker, daughter of E.W. Cochems; Laguna Beach and family photographic prints), 1968-1969.
Processing information:

Processed by Special Collections staff in 1969 and 1997-2000. Original glass negatives duplicated and printed in 1969.

Arrangement:

This collection is organized in three series:

  • Series 1. Photographic prints, 1913-1969. 3 linear ft.
  • Series 2. Negatives, ca. 1919-ca. 1949. 5.2 linear ft.
  • Series 3. Biographical documents and ephemera, 1924, 1968, 1980 and undated. 1 folder.

Series 1. Photographic prints is arranged in two subseries:

  • Subseries 1.1. Copy prints, 1913-circa 1949. 2.3 linear ft.
  • Subseries 1.2. Vintage prints, circa 1919-1969. 0.7 linear ft.

Series 2. Negatives is arranged in two subseries:

  • Subseries 2.1. Copy negatives, ca. 1919-ca. 1949. 0.8 linear ft.
  • Subseries 2.2. Original negatives, ca. 1919-ca. 1949. 4.4 linear ft.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Researchers must use copy negatives and prints when available.

Terms of access:

Property rights reside with the University of California. Copyrights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to reproduce or to publish, please contact the Head of Special Collections and Archives.

Preferred citation:

Edward W. Cochems photographs. MS-R016. Special Collections and Archives, The UC Irvine Libraries, Irvine, California. Date accessed.

For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.

Location of this collection:
P.O. Box 19557
Irvine, CA , US
Contact:
(949) 824-3947
spcoll@uci.libanswers.com
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