San Francisco Earthquake Photos--16 Glass Plate Negatives Attributed to George Fiske

1906. San Francisco Earthquake Photos--16 Glass Plate Negatives Attributed to George Fiske

Glass Negatives measure 4 x 5 inches. Generally, in very good condition. Several have light flaking to emulsion at edges. Many exhibit a light silvering halo which gives scans a bluish tint. Composition, toning and exposure generally strong. No information written on negative; all have newer small white labels with four-digit numbers. All negatives have been scanned and digitally converted into positives. Buyer will receive glass plate negatives. Very Good Condition.

Interesting collection of photographs documenting damage from the San Francisco earthquake. Attributed to noted San Francisco and Yosemite photographer by auction house via their consignor. Negative box includes holograph note in pencil, "G Fisk" (sic).

George Fiske (1835-1918) is best associated with his landscape photography of Yosemite National Park. Several institutions hold San Francisco images by Fiske, yet we were unable to find examples of Fiske photographs of the aftermath of the great earthquake.

These 16 images document a city in ruins, likely shot days or weeks after the earthquake. Several images portray rallies or concerts, while others depict tent cities and ruined structures. One shows bison serenely grazing. A collection of possibly unpublished earthquake images by possibly well-known photographer George Fiske. Certainly, worthy of further research.