Heading: (Photographs - San Francisco Earthquake Album)
Author: Waters, R.J., & Co.
Title: Albums of views of San Francisco in the aftermath of the 1906 earthquake and fire
Place Published: San Francisco
Publisher:R.J. Waters & Co.
Date Published: 1906
Description:

Two albums. 97 gelatin silver photographs, printed directly on the rectos of the photographic paper forming the album leaves. Most with captions in the negative and most with credit of R.J. Waters & Co. Leaf size 27x33.5 cm (10¾x13¼"), stub mounted. Period full brown morocco, bordered in blind.

Superb photograph album recording the great earthquake and fire that struck San Francisco on April 18, 1906, destroying much of the city. Featured are views devastation caused by the quake and fire along with the early humanitarian and reconstruction efforts. This album is very similar to an album produced by William Dickelmann in 1906 previously offered by PBA Galleries (Sale 316, Lot 184, 8/25/2005, $37,500.00), though the present without that album's manuscript annotations. This album similarly presents a splendid series of photographs, taken before, during and after the terrible disaster, which devastated our great city on April 18th, 19th and 20th, 1906, comprising a general collection of views, illustrating truthfully different sights and scenes in all parts of the city. Approximately 17 of the views are pre-earthquake images. Among the many striking views: "Blowing up of the Phelan Building"; "Burnt District from Twin Peaks"; "Palace Hotel"; "Ruins of Grace Church"; several views of City Hall, various views of the tent cities and work camps in the immediate days following the quake, etc., etc. This is one of the finest albums of photographs of the San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1906 that it has been our privilege to handle.

Spines leaning, some scuffing to leather; album leaves a bit bowed; albums very good, photographs generally near fine or better.