Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Collection
Title
Photo Art Commercial Studio photographs
Date(s)
- 1944 (Creation)
Extent
1000 cubic feet
Name of creator
Name of creator
Administrative history
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
The Photo Art Commercial Studio Collection represents the work of one of Portland’s premiere commercial photography firms. The collection consists of hundreds of thousands of negatives, plus prints, slides, and film footage, from 1936 to 1998. This exceptional collection is rich in Northwest scenic views, portraits, photographs of community events and organizations, and business products and operations. Prominent Northwest photographers, such as Ray Atkeson, photographed for the studio.
Photo Art Studios was opened in 1925 by Claude F. Palmer who had operated a small photo studio as a teenager. Photo Art began as a photofinishing operation, expanding in later years to commercial and advertising photography, motion pictures, and photo murals. In 1959, John Patterson, an Oregonian who was studying photography, joined the staff of Photo Art. In 1965, Patterson became a partner in the business with Claude Palmer; Patterson assumed full ownership in 1978 after Palmer’s retirement.
System of arrangement
Materials are arranged by image numbers provided by Photo-Art Commercial Studios at the time of donation.
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
Physical access
Access to original photographic negatives is restricted. Contact libreference@ohs.org or call 503-306-5240 for more information.
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
In Copyright http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Languages of the material
- English
Scripts of the material
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Acquisition and appraisal elements
Custodial history
Immediate source of acquisition
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
Related materials elements
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
Related descriptions
Notes element
General note
Online collection contains a selection of items from the full collection. Please contact library staff for more information.
Specialized notes
- Citation: Photo Art Commercial Studio photographs, Org. Lot 791, Oregon Historical Society Research Library.