Zan Stark collection, circa 1935-1955
Abstract/Contents
- Abstract
- The collection comprises over 3,000 real photo postcards and photographic negatives from the studio of Alexander "Zan" Stark. Postcards and photographs focus on Northern California, circa 1935-1955, and depict scenes of nature, travel destinations including vacation & historical attractions, architecture, bridges, and various street & cityscapes. All images are in black and white, and most are captioned. Many of the postcards appear to have been removed from Zan's scrapbooks, and for the most part his ordering has been retained.
Description
| Type of resource | mixed material |
|---|---|
| Extent | 10 linear feet (17 boxes) |
| Place | California |
| Publication date | [1935 - 1955?] |
| Issuance | monographic |
| Language | English |
Creators/Contributors
| Associated with | Stark, Alexander J. (Zan), 1889-1967 |
|---|
Subjects
| Subject | Stark, Alexander J. (Zan), 1889-1967 |
|---|---|
| Subject | Zan of Tamalpais. |
| Subject | Postcards > California > 20th century |
| Subject | California > Pictorial works > Sources |
| Subject | West (U.S.) > Photographs |
| Subject | California > Description and travel > Views |
| Genre | Postcards. |
Bibliographic information
| Acquisition | Purchased, 2011. Accession 2011-056 |
|---|---|
| Biographical/Historical | Alexander J. "Zan" Stark (1889-1967) was a Michigan-born photographer who moved to San Francisco, California around 1914, where he established a photography and lantern slide business under the name Xan Stark, Alta Studios. In the early 1920s Stark produced at least three volumes of photographs of female nudes in an "Alta Art Studies" series. Stark moved to Mill Valley in the mid-20s, producing thousands of photographic postcards under the name "Zan of Tamalpais" through early 1950s. Zan photographed extensively throughout California, as well as in Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, and elsewhere. He was the official photographer of the Redwood Empire Association beginning in 1936, and many of the postcards bear the Association's name. Much of his work appears to have been on a promotional basis, capturing roadside attractions, hotels, resorts & restaurants, and natural wonders such as Yosemite and the redwoods. Along with his son, Stark was also involved with local politics and journalism. Around 1953 Stark moved to Boyes Hot Springs where he remained until his death in 1967. |
| Location |
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| Location | https://purl.stanford.edu/qr128db0614 |
| Location | Department of Special Collections, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, CA 94305 |
Access conditions
- Use and reproduction
- While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, their heir(s) or assigns. When required, it is the researcher's responsibility to obtain such permissions.
- Copyright
- Materials may be subject to copyright.