This page lists all photograph collections.
Tip: While the catalog is the most robust way to search for images relevant to your research, you can use the Select All (Control/Command A) then the Find function (Control/Command F) to search this page for a specific name or company or topic to quickly see if the DC History Center holds a related named photograph collection. If nothing bears fruit - head to the catalog to search!
Named collections are listed in order by the repository-assigned SP number. SP stands for Special Photograph, a designation for collections that are cohesive and named according for their subject, creator, or donor. The links connect to the online catalog record for the collection. Some collections are described down to the individual image; others are described only at a collection level. While not every collection warrants a finding aid (a catalog record can often be sufficient), finding aids, where available, can be accessed via links at the bottom of relevant catalog records.
While these are cataloged as photograph collections, that generally indicates that prints, negatives, positives and the like are the bulk of the material - but not necessarily the only material - in the collection. Photograph collections often include documentation that helps to explain a photographer's process, research notes, and the occasional object! Some photograph collections include such rich documentation that they may have a companion manuscript collection. In this case, the collection name would remain the same, and an additional identifier would be added to the catalog record for a cross-reference.
