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List of Photo Collections

The San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection database consists of images from the San Francisco History Center Subject Collection. There are a number of collections that belong to the San Francisco Historical Photograph Collection that have not been digitized and are available to view during Photo Desk open hours.
Thumbnail of photo: Picture bride Yook Gee (Precious Pearl), ca. 1898 San Francisco History Subject Collection
The San Francisco History Center Subject Collection consists of photographs, from the 1850s to the present.
Thumbnail of Assessor's Office Negative Collection image San Francisco Assessor's Office Negative Collection: Residences and Businesses
This collection was given to the History Center by the San Francisco Assessor's Office.
Thumbnail of DPW image San Francisco Department of Public Works Albums
The collection consists of over 95 photograph albums from 1907 to the 1930s depicting the Department of Public Works (DPW) projects.
Thumbnail of James A. Scott Collection image San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Digital Collection
The PUC online collection includes over 300 images, spanning 1887 to 1968.
Thumbnail of Shades of San Francisco image Shades of San Francisco
Shades of San Francisco is a community history photography project of the San Francisco History Center.
Thumbnail of Panorama Collection image San Francisco History Center Panorama Collection
The collection consists of over 200 panoramas of mostly 20th century San Francisco views.
Thumbnail of Stereograph Collection image San Francisco History Center Stereograph Collection
Stereographs are two photographs mounted side by side and appear three-dimensional when inspected with a viewer.
Thumbnail of Cabinet Card Collection image San Francisco History Center Cabinet Card Collection
The collection of over 300 cabinet cards includes significant San Francisco studios such as Elite, Bradley & Rulofson, and Houseworth.
Thumbnail of Postcard Collection image San Francisco History Center Postcard Collection
This collection consists of approximately 5,000 postcards and photo-postcards of San Francisco.
Thumbnail of Willard Worden Glass Plate Negative image Willard E. Worden Glass Plate Negative Collection
The collection contains 432 glass plate negatives taken by San Francisco photographer Willard E. Worden ca. 1911-1912.
Thumbnail of James A. Scott Collection image James A. Scott Collection
This collection contains over 4,000 photographs of San Francisco taken over a period of 40 years.
Ernest Clayton Collection of California Wild Flowers Ernest Clayton Collection of California Wild Flowers
The Ernest Clayton Collection of California Wild Flowers consists of 200 watercolors painted between the years 1942 and 1952.
Please note that viewing images is limited to Tuesday and Thursday from 1-5pm; and Saturday from 10-Noon and 1-5pm.
Image of Golden Gate Bridge