Documentation:BC Historical Photograph Collection
Background
The British Columbia Historical Photograph collection (BCHP) consists of photographs which are standalone acquisitions (i.e. not part of a fonds, collection, vertical file). For example, if there is a donation of 3 photographs depicting family dwellings in B.C. during the early 1900’s, this set of photographs will become a part of BCHP. It is important to note that BCHP contains photographs which originate and/or document images outside of B.C. There are plans to rename the collection to Rare Books and Special Collections (RBSC) Historical Photograph collection in the future.
This guide provides information on how to locate and access materials in this collection and is part of the RBSC Archives Toolkit.
BC Historical Photograph collection guide created by Jacky Lai, RBSC Archives Assistant.
Identifier
Majority of photographs are described at item level. Each photograph is assigned a BC number. If a photograph is part of a set, then a numerical suffix is added. For example, BC-2 consists of one photograph therefore the identifier is simply BC-2. BC-188 consists of 28 photographs so each photograph has a suffix: BC-188/1, BC-188/2, BC-188/3, etc. In some cases, there is a description for the entire set (ex. BC-188/1-28) and for each photograph.
Please note that there might be variations to the numbering system mentioned above. For example, instead of BC-188/1, the written number on the physical photograph and/or envelope might be BC-188-1.
Prior to 2015, BC photograph numbers were also assigned to photographs which are a part of a fonds or collection. Unfortunately, there is no complete list of these numbers and their associated fonds/collections. An incomplete list can be found here: smb://files.ubc.ca/team/LBRY/RBSC/Accession numbers/bc_photo_numbers.xls. This practice was discontinued and RBSC began using a new system which is straightforward. The identifier associated with the fonds is the main number and PH-X is added to it. For example, RBSC-ARC-1234-PH-1. Refer to the Photograph processing section of the Archival processing guide for more information about the new identifier system.
UBC Archives, Bibliographies and Reading Rooms catalogue
Please note that as of May 2020, a portion the BC historical photograph collection (regardless of whether they are standalone acquisitions or separated from archival holdings) is still listed in the UBC Archives, Bibliographies and Reading Rooms. To search in this catalogue, select "BC Historical Photos" under the "At this location" field.
In addition to BC photograph numbers, this catalogue also lists identifiers such as ARCHIV-AAB-5026 and ARCHIV-AAC-1351. These were assigned by University Archives staff in the past for a photograph digitization project. This identifier scheme is no longer used by RBSC.
There are plans to export the records in this catalogue to keep a crosswalk of BC photograph number and AAB/AAC numbers for future reference. When the crosswalk is created, all BC historical photograph records in the UBC Archives, Bibliographies and Reading Rooms catalogue may be removed.
Location
Photographs that are part of BCHP are stored by format and size in the photograph section in the vault. These are the main areas:
- Small prints
- Photographs equal to or smaller than 18.8 x 13.5 cm; stored in drawers
- Medium prints
- Photographs smaller than 30.4 x 23 cm and larger than 18.8 x 13.5 cm; stored in grey metal edge boxes
- Large or oversize prints
- Photographs larger than 30.4 x 23 cm; stored in tall and flat metal edge boxes
- Small negatives/glass plates
- Stored in drawers and grey metal edge boxes
- Medium negatives/glass plates
- Stored in grey metal edge boxes
How to find BCHP and non-BCHP photographs
Some photographs which are considered to be small prints may be stored in grey metal edge boxes due to lack of consistency in the past. It is likely it will take more than one try to locate a photograph.
Because the BCHP number system was not restricted to BCHP photographs, fonds and collections with photographs were also assigned BC numbers which can cause confusion when locating photographs. Below are some tips to locating both BCHPs and photographs associated with fonds/collections.
- Ask patrons and researchers where they identified photographs of interest - ex. From a PDF finding aid? From AtoM? Which fonds/collection?
- If they say it’s part of the BCHP then search for the AtoM record to identify size and format.
- If they say it’s part of a fonds/collection, check AtoM and PDF finding aid for location information. Some fonds may have many photographs which are stored in their own boxes instead of interfiled with other BCHPs or the entire fonds/collection consists of photographs. If this is the case, check Voyager holding record to see if there are boxes with “RARE BOOKS & SPECIAL COLLECTIONS” as a holding. These are usually stored in the archival section of the vault. For example, World War I British press photograph collection:
- Please note the British Columbia historical postcard and photograph albums collection is stored in the photograph section and not the archival section in the vault. Its ARC number is RBSC-ARC-1059 and BC number is BC-1456.
- If there are a limited number of photographs from a fonds/collection, they are likely separated from files and interfiled with the general BCHP according to size and format. For example, Nan Cheney fonds:
- Please note that some fonds’ photographs were not separated for vault storage so they are in boxes in the ASRS. Check finding aid to see if BC numbers are associated with specific file numbers. If so, these boxes/files should contain photographs. For example, Douglas Coupland fonds: