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  • Film, Video
    Feeding sea gulls "A fine view of San Francisco Bay, from an Oakland ferryboat. Tug towing a scow passes by. Sea gulls sail through the air and dive into the seething wake of the boat. 40 feet"--Edison films catalog, no. 94. "Southern Pacific Company series: The Southern Pacific Company ("Sunset Route") offers special inducements to winter travelers, by reason of its southern route, thereby avoiding the extreme...
    • Contributor: Blechynden, Frederick - Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - White, James H. (James Henry)
    • Date: 1898
  • Film, Video
    Building a harbor at San Pedro
    Title in Edison films catalog: Building a harbor at San Pedro, California
    "This picture was secured from a launch furnished by Mr. Eager, President of the California Construction Co., who are fulfilling this $5,000,000 contract. Here is seen the largest derrick in the world at work, showing the huge arm straining and swaying. The spray effects are very fine, as the huge rocks strike the water, sending beautiful masses of foam hundreds of feet in the...
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1901
  • Film, Video
    Going through the tunnel "On the way to Santa Monica, Cal., the train approaches, runs through and emerges from a tunnel. Train passes in opposite direction. Camera is at front end of train, giving a very novel view. 100 feet"--Edison films catalog, no. 94. "Southern Pacific Company series: The Southern Pacific Company ("Sunset Route") offers special inducements to winter travelers, by reason of its southern route, thereby avoiding...
    • Contributor: Blechynden, Frederick - Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - White, James H. (James Henry)
    • Date: 1898
  • Film, Video
    Bird's-eye view of San Francisco, Cal., from a balloon As early as 1874, passenger balloon flights were being made over San Francisco. San Franciscans - and Americans in general - were fascinated with the thrills and dangers of flight. Although balloon technology had not advanced greatly by the turn of the century, attempts at man-powered flight were sustaining public interest. The era of powered flight arrived in 1903 with the Wright brothers' flight...
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1902
  • Film, Video
    The San Francisco disaster
    Formerly titled: Unidentified Staples & Charles. No. 1, San Francisco after the earthquake and fire of 1906 | Title in Lubin catalog 1907: San Francisco earthquake
    This film is made up of five panoramas, four wide and one close-up, of the ruins of downtown San Francisco shortly after the 1906 disaster, including a panorama and scene in a refugee camp. Note that the locations provided in the interior titles are incorrect for segments 1, 3, and 4. "Panorama of City Hall from Top of U.S. Mint." This right-to-left (north-to-northwest) panorama...
    • Contributor: Frawley, Jack - S. Lubin (Firm : Philadelphia, Pa.)
    • Date: 1906
  • Film, Video
    [Mary Pickford and the Coquette contest winners]
    Mary Pickford and beauty contest winners
    A film featuring the 25 "Coquette girls", winners of a contest conducted as a sales promotion for Mary Pickford's first sound film, Coquette. Newspapers such as the Washington evening star, the New Haven register, and the Louisville courier-journal held a contest in January, 1929. The contestents appear to have been chosen on the basis of "letters of nomination" written by, or for, the girls....
    • Contributor: Pickford Corp
    • Date: 1929
  • Film, Video
    Launch of Japanese man-of-war "Chitosa"
    Launch of Japanese man-of-war "Chitose" | Variant title from Edison motion pictures, 1890-1900: Launching of Japanese man-of-war "Chitose" | Variant title from MAVIS: Launch of the Japanese man-of-war "Chitosa"
    Shows the launching of the Imperial Japanese Navy cruiser Chitose at the Union Iron Works shipyard, San Francisco, on Saturday, January 22, 1898. The camera view is east, across a small inlet of Central Basin, to slipway no. 1. Four additional slipways lay beyond to the west. The camera viewpoint is today called pier 68, part of Southwest Marine's facilities. The launch took place...
    • Contributor: Blechynden, Frederick - Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - White, James H. (James Henry)
    • Date: 1898
  • Film, Video
    Hotel Del Monte "Shows a party of tourists at this famous resort; located in Monterey, Cal., on the Southern Pacific Railroad. The magnificence of its surroundings is clearly shown. 50 feet"--Edison films catalog. "Southern Pacific Company Series: The Southern Pacific Company ("Sunset Route") offers special inducements to winter travelers, by reason of its southern route, thereby avoiding the extreme cold of the winter months. Its course lies...
    • Contributor: Blechynden, Frederick - Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - White, James H. (James Henry)
    • Date: 1897
  • Film, Video
    A glimpse of the San Diego Exposition
    Working title from Mack Sennett's fun factory: Educational of San Diego Exposition
    The film begins from a single-camera position high above the Exposition grounds. The camera begins to pan from left to right, following the horizon. The picture includes all of the spires and buildings of the fair. Then the camera is moved to the Exposition midway. Includes shots of the exposition buildings in Balboa Park, a bridge that cost a quarter of a million dollars...
    • Contributor: Sennett, Mack - Keystone Film Company - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1915
  • Film, Video
    Over route of Roosevelt parade in an automobile This film is a review by automobile of the arrival parade route of President Theodore Roosevelt, on Tuesday, May 12, 1903. The film was shot from about 2:10 pm to 2:15 pm (shortly before the 3 pm parade) and shows street and building decorations and excited crowds. The portion of the route shown is in the heart of the downtown business district. The later...
    • Contributor: Niver (Kemp) Collection (Library of Congress) - American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Miles, Herbert J.
    • Date: 1903
  • Film, Video
    Mount Tamalpais R. R. no. 2
    Title in Early motion pictures: Mount Tamalpais R.R. | Variant title from Edison motion pictures, 1890-1900: Mount Tamalpais R.R. | Title in Edison films catalog, no. 135: Panoramic view from Mt. Tamalpais R. R. | Title in Edison films catalog, no. 315: Panoramic view, Mt. Tamalpais R. R. | Erroneous title from Edison motion pictures, 1890-1900: Mount Tamaltais R.R. | Mt. Tamalpais Railroad | Mount Tamalpais Railroad
    "On the front end of the flat car is a lady, whose feathers and ribbons flutter in the wind. The panoramic view of the hills and valley is very beautiful"--Edison films catalog. "Southern Pacific Company Series: The Southern Pacific Company ("Sunset Route") offers special inducements to winter travelers, by reason of its southern route, thereby avoiding the extreme cold of the winter months. Its...
    • Contributor: Blechynden, Frederick - Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - White, James H. (James Henry)
    • Date: 1898
  • Film, Video
    Army pack train bringing supplies
    Variant title from the New York clipper, May 19, 1906: Army of pack train bringing supplies
    The first segment shows a series of loaded mule trains, guided by mules and horses. Many soldiers ride two-to-a-horse (or mule), possibly to facilitate quick unloading of supplies. Note the "Rough Rider"-style hats worn by many of the men. The dusty location is unclear; if the tower in the right distance is St. Boniface Church, the view could be west on Golden Gate Avenue...
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Kleine (George) Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1906
  • Film, Video
    Mount Taw R. R. No. 3
    Title in Early motion pictures: Mount Taw R.R. | Title in Edison films catalog, no. 105: Mount Tamalpais R. R. | Title in Edison films catalog, no. 135: Panoramic view of Mt. Tamalpais R. R. | Title in Edison films catalog, no. 315: Panoramic view, Mt. Tamalpais R. R. | Erroneous title from Edison motion pictures, 1890-1900: Mount Tamaltais R.R. | Mt. Taw Railroad | Mount Tamalpais Railroad
    "View taken while ascending the scenic railroad, Marin Co., Cal. Right ahead is another train; the steep grades and dangerous curves are plainly shown. Grand mountain scenery is a striking feature of this picture. 140 feet"--Edison films catalog, no. 105. "Southern Pacific Company Series: The Southern Pacific Company ("Sunset Route") offers special inducements to winter travelers, by reason of its southern route, thereby avoiding...
    • Contributor: Blechynden, Frederick - Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - White, James H. (James Henry)
    • Date: 1898
  • Film, Video
    Troops embarking at San Francisco Shows troops of the First Regiment, California Volunteers, boarding the Pacific Mail steamer City of Peking to serve in the Philippine theater of the Spanish-American War. The film was shot at the Pacific Mail Steamship Company dock between 10:50am and 1:50pm on Friday, May 13, 1898. The dock was located at First Street between Brannan and Townsend streets. The camera is probably facing north.....
    • Contributor: Blechynden, Frederick - Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Niver (Kemp) Collection (Library of Congress) - White, James H. (James Henry)
    • Date: 1898
  • Film, Video
    Panorama, Union Square, San Francisco
    Panorama of Union Square, San Francisco
    This film shows the crowd gathered in San Francisco for the dedication of the Dewey Monument in Union Square, on Thursday, May 14, 1903, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:20 a.m. The Monument, which is still in place, commemorates the victory of Admiral George Dewey and the American fleet over Spanish forces at Manila Bay, the Philippines, on May 1, 1898, during the Spanish-American War....
    • Contributor: American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Miles, Herbert J.
    • Date: 1903
  • Film, Video
    San Francisco disaster
    Title from AFI catalog: film beginnings, 1893-1910: San Francisco
    This film shows the partial burning of a small-scale model of downtown San Francisco in an early attempt at simulating the 1906 disaster. The model is seen in aerial view from above the South-of-Market district, looking northwest toward Market Street and the downtown area. Russian Hill (left) and Telegraph Hill (right) are shown in a painted background. The Call Building at 3rd and Market...
    • Contributor: American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Bitzer, G. W. - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1906
  • Film, Video
    Scenes in San Francisco. [No. 2]
    Scenes of San Francisco | Title in Biograph bulletins 1896-1908: San Francisco
    Panoramas filmed in the ruins of downtown San Francisco and outlying refugee camps following the 1906 earthquake and fire. A scene-by-scene description of the film: [Frame: 0102] Begins with a long, pan of downtown ruins viewed from Natoma Street between 4th and 3rd streets. The pan is from left to right (west to northeast). Buildings of interest: The old San Francisco Mint, with classic...
    • Contributor: Gove, Otis M. (Otis Meader) - American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1906
  • Film, Video
    Troop ships for the Philippines
    Troopships for the Philippines
    Shows the departure from San Francisco of two troop ships, the S.S. Australia and the S.S. City of Sydney, bound for Manila during the Spanish-American War. The first ship shown is the Australia with many troops on deck, some waving. The ship's name is visible on the hull at the end of the sequence. The second ship, the City of Sydney, is shown being...
    • Contributor: Blechynden, Frederick - Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Niver (Kemp) Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1898
  • Film, Video
    Lurline Baths "A large indoor swimming pool can be seen. The camera was directed toward a slide from which people can be seen entering the pool in rapid succession"--Early motion pictures. "At San Francisco. The main feature is the toboggan slide which the bathers use, some sitting, others lying down, head first or feet first. 50 feet"--Edison films catalog.
    • Contributor: Blechynden, Frederick - Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - White, James H. (James Henry)
    • Date: 1897
  • Film, Video
    Market Street before parade
    Variant title from Biograph production logs: Route of parade previous arrival of Pres. Roosevelt | Variant title from Biograph production logs: Route of president's parade
    This film is an automobile tour of a portion of the arrival parade route of President Theodore Roosevelt along Market Street, San Francisco, on Tuesday, May 12, 1903. The film was shot in the mid-afternoon, shortly before the parade, which traversed this portion of the route in the reverse direction shown here. The earlier portion of the route is seen in the film "Over...
    • Contributor: American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - Miles, Herbert J.
    • Date: 1903
  • Film, Video
    Arrest in Chinatown, San Francisco, Cal This film shows the arrest and conveyance of a Chinese man in Chinatown, watched by a crowd of onlookers. The precise date of this film and the arrest charge are uncertain. It is possible that the arrest was connected with the smuggling of illegal immigrants from China. By mutual agreement between China and the United States, a small quota of merchants and students was...
    • Contributor: Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1897
  • Film, Video
    Scenes in San Francisco. [No. 1]
    Scenes of San Francisco | Title in Biograph bulletins 1896-1908: San Francisco
    Views and pans among the ruins of San Francisco after the earthquake and fire. A scene-by-scene description of the film: [Frame: 0100] The camera, positioned at the southwest corner of Mission and 5th streets, makes a hurried and jerky pan from the east side of 5th Street eastward to the south side of Mission Street. At the start of the pan, the ruined Lincoln...
    • Contributor: Gove, Otis M. (Otis Meader) - American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1906
  • Film, Video
    Surf at Monterey "The water breaks over the rocks, and is dashed into silvery spray, high into the air. Exceptionally fine water effects. 50 feet"--Edison films catalog, no. 105. "Southern Pacific Company Series: The Southern Pacific Company ("Sunset Route") offers special inducements to winter travelers, by reason of its southern route, thereby avoiding the extreme cold of the winter months. Its course lies through a section of...
    • Contributor: Blechynden, Frederick - Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - White, James H. (James Henry)
    • Date: 1897
  • Film, Video
    S.S. "Coptic" at dock
    Steamship "Coptic" at dock
    From F.Z. Maguire catalogue: Taken at the docks of the Pacific Steamship Co., San Francisco, Cal., which is operated in connection with the Southern Pacific Railroad Co. The "Coptic" is one of the best appointed, largest and fastest vessels that traverse the Pacific Ocean, and this view was taken as she was leaving for a voyage to the Sandwich Islands, Japan and China. The...
    • Contributor: Blechynden, Frederick - Thomas A. Edison, Inc - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress) - White, James H. (James Henry)
    • Date: 1897
  • Film, Video
    A trip to Berkeley, Cal
    Trip to Berkeley, California | Variant title from AFI catalog: Panorama view, streets of Berkeley, Cal
    Shot from a moving streetcar, this film shows portions of north Berkeley and the adjacent University of California campus, in 1906. The Oakland and Berkeley Rapid Transit Company began operating in 1891 and was a major factor in the development of Berkeley. The streetcar route shown is most of the final portion of the #4 line, built in 1901, originating in downtown Oakland. The...
    • Contributor: Gove, Otis M. (Otis Meader) - American Mutoscope and Biograph Company - Paper Print Collection (Library of Congress)
    • Date: 1906