A collection of 11 stereoviews of San Francisco, ca. 1870-86. All photographed and published by J.J. Reilly (1834-1893) for at least two different series. After taking images of Niagara Falls from 1866-70, Reilly established himself as a photographer in California, shooting Yosemite and its tourists from 1870-75, opening a studio in San Francisco around 1875, then working in Marysville from 1879-86. He moved back to San Francisco in 1886, after abandoning his wife and business, and continued to capture photographs until he committed suicide in 1893. 

The images in this lot are as follows: 

1. No. 114 Baldwin Hotel Dinning-Room [sic], San Francisco, Cal. Series, “Views of American Scenery.” 

An elaborate dining room found in the Baldwin Hotel. The hotel opened in 1876 near Union Square and was built around a theater that was completed the previous year. It was destroyed by fire in 1898, where two people died in the flames. 

2. Rev. Dr. Hemphill’s Church, San Francisco, Cal. Series, “Photographic Views of American Scenery.” 

A street scene of the Calvary Presbyterian Church, located near Geary and Powell Streets. It was led by the Rev. John Hemphill (1844-1924), who earned the title “pastor emeritus” because he was so appreciated by his congregation. The church switched buildings often during its beginning, fearing its locations would be too commercial. The one captured here was its second location, which opened in 1869 and remained open until around 1902. 

3. No. 109. Chinese Photographer, San Francisco, Cal. Series, “Views of American Scenery.” 

A studio portrait of a seated Chinese man. One article claims the man seated is portraitist and photographer Lai Yong, who was working in San Francisco from as early as 1866 to at least 1880. This claim comes from comparing the props and furnishings featured here with those found in Yong’s studio and photographs. 

4. Palace Hotel, San Francisco, Cal. Series, “Views of American Scenery.” 

A shot of the Palace Hotel from across an intersection. The Palace Hotel seen here was the original building, which opened in 1875. It was destroyed by the subsequent fires from the San Francisco earthquake in 1906, but the new building, which still stands today, opened in 1909. 

5. No. 479. Geary Street, San Francisco, Cal. Series, “Views of American Scenery.” 

A street scene showing the hustle and bustle of Geary Street, proving its commercialization that prompted the Calvary Presbyterian Church to eventually move. Storefronts reading “RED RUBBER STAMPS,” “BRADLEY & RULOFSON PHOTOGRAPH GALLERY” and “EAGLESON & CO. SHIRTS & UNDERWEAR” can be made out atop the tall buildings. The street running straight back is most likely Dupont Street (now Grant Avenue), based on Bradley & Rulofson’s studio location and when Reilly would have most likely taken this image. 

6. No. 123 Golden Gate from Telegraph Hill, San Francisco, Cal. Series, “Views of American Scenery.” 

A wide shot atop Telegraph Hill looking toward Golden Gate, the strait of water connecting the San Francisco Bay to the Pacific Ocean and also the namesake for the bridge that would be built later. 

7. No. 103 San Francisco, from California and Taylor sts, Cal. Series, “Views of American Scenery.” 

A panoramic image capturing the cityscape and what is most likely also the Golden Gate in the far background. 

8. Rustic Walks, Woodward’s Gardens, San Francisco, Cal. Series, “Views of American Scenery.” 

An image from inside Woodward’s Gardens, a combination amusement park, art gallery, aquarium, museum and zoo that operated from 1866-91. 

9. Rev. Dr. Stone’s Church, San Francisco, Cal. Series, “Photographic Views of American Scenery.” 

An image of the First Congregational Church at the corner of Post and Mason Streets, which was led at this time by the Rev. Andrew Leete Stone (1815-92). After serving as a chaplain for the 45th Massachusetts in the Civil War, Stone accepted the pastorate position at First Congregational and preached there from 1866-80, when his health began to falter. 

10. Grand Hotel, San Francisco, Cal. Series, “Views of American Scenery.” 

The corner facade of the Grand Hotel, which stood at the corner of Market and New Montgomery Streets. It stood across from and was eventually bought by the Palace Hotel, where the two later connected themselves by a covered bridge on the second floor. 

11. New City Hall / San Francisco. Series, “Views of American Scenery.” Title taken from period pencil inscription to mount verso. 

An image of San Francisco’s City Hall, which operated from 1871 until the earthquake in 1906. The large domed building in the front is its Hall of Records. 

[Stereoview, Stereocard, San Francisco, California, Western Americana, Chinese in America, Chinatown, Chinese Merchant, J.J. Reilly, Thomas Houseworth, Bradley & Rulofson, Palace Hotel, Grand Hotel, Montgomery Street, Market Street, City Hall, Woodward's Gardens, Gilded Age, Architecture, 19th Century Photography]

Very good condition overall. The albumen prints retain strong tonal contrast and sharp focal detail, showing scattered light foxing and minor edge soil consistent with age. Card mounts remain rigid and flat with honest corner rubbing.