Frank J. Schlueter Photographs
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of photographs by the prolific Houston commercial photographer, Frank Schleuter. A wide variety of topics are included, such as images of buildings, homes, oil fields, industry, agriculture, rural life, Houston’s port and ship channel, social occasions, and Houston’s citizens. While Schleuter's career spanned a longer period, this collection primarily features photoraphs dating from 1909 to 1936. Formats range from glate plates on through more modern film, and the collection includes both prints and negatives. There are 192 8x10" glasss plate negatives, 186 panoramas, and a number of film negatives and contact prints.
Dates
- 1909-1947
Creator
- Schlueter, Frank J., 1874-1972 (Photographer, Person)
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for research. However, to preserve the original photographs, access will be provided by digital surrogates when possible. In other cases, contact prints will be provided instead of the original negatives. Access to panoramas or fragile photographs requires an apppointment.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish or reproduce materials from MSS 0223 Frank J. Schleuter Photographs must be obtained from the Houston Metropolitan Research Center or the appropriate copyright holder.
Biographical Note
For 57 years, until his retirement in 1964, at the age of 90, Frank Schleuter carefully recorded Houston’s growth and development. His work includes images of skylines, construction, oil fields, industry, agriculture, rural life, Houston’s port and ship channel, social occasions, and Houston’s citizens.
He was best known as an oil field photographer for he was frequently called to the fields when a gusher was imminent. His photographs recorded the event for potential investors and posterity’s sake. His career spanned the time from glass plates and wooden cameras to modern films and sophisticated cameras and portable lighting.
Extent
64 Linear Feet (14 boxes of glass plates, 5 boxes of film negatives, 5 boxes of contact prints, 8 trays of panoramas) : 192 glass plate negatives, 186 panoramas, as well as a number of film negatives and contact prints
Language of Materials
English
Photo Database
HMRC's Photographic Archives Database (https://hmrc.houstonlibrary.org/photos/) contains the full inventory of photographs in this collection.
Acquisition Information
The bulk of this collection was acquired from Harry Anderson on October 29, 1982. Two additinal panoramic photographs were was donated by Gordon J. Hayship on September 16, 1983.
Digitized Materials
Selected images from this collection have been digitized and are available on the Houston Public Library Digital Archives at https://cdm17006.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/images/search/searchterm/mss0223
- Commercial photography -- Texas -- Houston Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Photographers -- Texas -- 20th century Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- glass plate negatives Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- panoramic photographs Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- photographs Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Title
- Frank J. Schlueter Photographs
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Matt Richardson
- Date
- December 23, 2020
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Houston History Research Center Repository
