Beschreibung:

Title: San Francisco 1906 (cover title). Author: Waters, R.J., & Co. Place: San Francisco Publisher: Wm. Dickelmann Date: 1906 Description: 100 gelatin silver photographs, printed directly on the photographic paper forming the album leaves, on rectos only. Each photograph with caption and/or description inked in the lower margin; many with captions in the negative as well, and many with credit of R.J. Waters & Co. Glassine interleaves. Images approximately 7¾x9½, album is 10¾x13½, full red morocco lettered in gilt. 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 of the city before the quake, the fire and devastation the day it struck, and clean up and early reconstruction efforts. The captions and descriptions add much to the importance of the album. Possibly a small number of these albums were produced by Dickelmann, and the forward, inked on the first page of the album, reads: "San Francisco, 1906. Introductory. This album presents a splendid series of photographs, taken before, during and after the terrible disaster, which devastated the great metropolis of the West on April 18th, 19th and 20th, 1906, and containts a general collection of views, illustrating truthfully different sights and scenes in all parts of the city. Every picture in this album is a direct copy from the original photographic plate. Published by Wm. Dickelmann, 4108 - 19th St., San Francisco." Among the many striking views: "Watching the fire from Lafayette Plaza, 10 a.m. April 18th, 1906"; "Burnt District from Twin Peaks"; "Corner Laguna and Market St. where the fire was stopped in its sweep to the West"; "Earthquake Wreck on Howard St. between 17th and 18th sts."; "Scene in Refugee Camp near Fort Mason"; "Ruins of Theatre Row on O'Farrell St."; and many others. There are a number of "before" and "after" views, showing the same streets prior to and following the quake. This is the finest album of photographs of the San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1906 that it has been our privilege to handle. The binding has been expertly restored by Phil Dusel. Lot Amendments Condition: Some of the interleaves and chipped, torn or creased; but overall the album is in fine condition, a truly exceptional example. Item number: 163661