Visual Materials

Photographic postcards, color postcards, and a few photographs

Description: A binder of approximately 400 images of the Philippines, chiefly black-and-white photographic postcards, 3.25 x 5.5 inches, with titles imprinted by the publisher. There are also color photomechanical postcards, and a few loose photographs. Some postcards have writing and stamps and have been mailed to the U.S. and elsewhere. Of note is one oversized panoramic format, hand-colored photo postcard of Baguio. These postcards were produced in large quantities by photography studios and publishers often based in the Philippines and circulated internationally.
Type: Visual Materials(Opens in new tab)
Date: approximately 1906-1970
Call number: photCL 719
Provenance: Purchased from Fairlook Antiques, October 2023.
Restrictions: Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Photographic postcards and other images

Visual Materials

Consists of 731 photographic postcards depicting a variety of subjects and locations throughout the Philippines. The images are black-and-white photographs printed directly on postcard stock, primarily 3.25 x 5.5 inches, and most are captioned in the photograph. Some have writing or stamps. There are also 81 color photomechanical postcards, including four reproduced drawings. These postcards were produced in large quantities by photography studios and publishers often based in the Philippines and circulated internationally. A few have credits for studios run by Japanese photographers. Additionally, there are approximately 50 black-and-white photographic prints (4 x 5 inches or smaller) of people and scenes in the Philippines.

photCL 701

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Collection of photographic postcards and travel ephemera of the Philippines

Visual Materials

A collection of 731 photographic postcards and 81 photomechanical or printed postcards of the Philippines, spanning the years of transition from the end of the Spanish colonial government through decades of American administration. Many were sent through the mail to U.S. destinations, including Berkeley, Seattle, Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Sioux Falls, as well as to recipients in Hong Kong and Portugal. A number of postcards have handwritten inscriptions, stamps, and printed captions, indicating how they were viewed, circulated, and used for tourism and government propaganda. Postcard imagery covers a variety of subjects in the Philippines, including people and communities, with many Indigenous people represented; agriculture; buildings and houses under construction; social and cultural activities; prisons; street and market scenes; weaving and textile production; religious ceremonies; and landscapes. There are several studio portraits, primarily of women and couples, and several color photomechanical postcards of various scenes. The collection also includes some related photographic prints and tourist guides, pamphlets and maps of the Philippines. Please note that this collection contains historical images and language that library users may find harmful, offensive, or inappropriate.

photCL 701

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Large color postcards, loose photographs, and ephemera

Visual Materials

Approximately 200 loose photographs, 100 color postcards, and some ephemera. The photographs are small, black and white snapshots of unidentified people and scenes in the Philippines. Images are grouped together as they were received, in individual sets of prints acquired from various sources. Many have handwriting on the back. The large photographic color postcards were made approximately 1967 to 1997, and feature dancers, festivals, tourist attractions and others. Almost all published by the National Book Store, Manila. Ephemera consists of Philippines postage stamps; paper money printed with "The Japanese Government"; and a club card and photograph for the Mariner's Club, Manila, 1930s.

photCL 719

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Photographic postcards, photographs, and ephemera from the Philippines

Visual Materials

A collection of approximately 300 photographic postcards, 200 color postcards, 200 snapshot photographs, and 23 negatives of people and places in the Philippines. Also included are Philippines postage stamps and peso currency issued under the Japanese government. The imagery covers a range of subject matter and locations within the Philippines, spanning the decades of U.S. control after the end of Spanish colonial government, 1898 to 1946, along with later images dating to 1997. Many postcards have writing and were sent by mail to the U.S. and other locations. Several snapshots appear to have been taken by U.S. servicemen, who also appear in the images with Filipinos. The most recent images are several commercial color postcards produced approximately 1967 to 1997, and a few color photographs from the 1960s to 1980s. Subject matter includes: people in everyday activities, with many Indigenous people represented; social and cultural activities; street and market scenes in Manila and other locations; weaving; religious ceremonies; landscapes; buildings; historic sites; churches; villages; military ships and U.S. servicemen. There are several studio portraits, mostly of women. Please note that this collection contains historical images and language that library users may find harmful, offensive, or inappropriate.

photCL 719

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Photographic postcards of individuals and groups in the Philippines

Visual Materials

A group of 29 photographic postcards and snapshots of people and activities in the Philippines prior to World War II. There are also images of indigenous Igorot peoples at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition of 1909 in Seattle, Washington, and a few photographs of Filipinos in San Francisco, including a group at the Filipino Community Methodist Church. Photographs in the Philippines include studio portraits (some with inscriptions in Tagalog), family groups, children, sports teams, and cock fighting. One 1945 image shows an overview of the Santo Tomas internment camp where Japanese authorities interned civilians during WWII. Some postcards have correspondence in English and were mailed to the United States. Please note that this collection contains historical images and language that library users may find harmful, offensive, or inappropriate.

photCL 739

Image not available

Photographic postcards of individuals and groups in the Philippines

Visual Materials

A group of 29 photographic postcards and snapshots of people and activities in the Philippines prior to World War II. There are also images of indigenous Igorot peoples at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition of 1909 in Seattle, Washington, and a few photographs of Filipinos in San Francisco, including a group at the Filipino Community Methodist Church. Photographs taken in the Philippines include studio portraits (some with inscriptions in Tagalog), family groups, children, sports teams, and cock fighting. A 1945 image shows an overview of the Santo Tomas internment camp where Japanese authorities interned civilians during WWII. Some postcards have correspondence in English and were mailed to the United States. Please note that this collection contains historical images and language that library users may find harmful, offensive, or inappropriate.

photCL 739

Photographic postcards, color postcards, and a few photographs

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