Peter E. Palmquist collection of stereographs of California

This collection includes more than 6,500 examples of stereoscopic photography, chiefly stereographs, that represent sites in California, as well as the work of Californian photographers and publishers, circa 1844-1986, which Peter E. Palmquist collected from 1971 to 2011. The material represents the work of more than 400 identified photographers and publishers who issued images of California. The organization of the collection reflects Palmquist's interest in identifying the photographers responsible for making the original images no matter who published a particular card. There are also some examples of devices used to view stereoscopic photographs

Individual photographers represented by significant quantities of stereographs in the collection include Charles Bierstadt, Martin Mason Hazeltine, Truman Ward Ingersoll, Charles L. Pond, John James Reilly, John P. Soule, J. Pitcher Spooner, and Carleton E. Watkins. Firms with substantial groups of stereographs in the collection include Continent Stereoscopic Company, E. & H. T. Anthony, E. P. Best & Company, Keystone View Company, Thomas Houseworth & Co., and Underwood & Underwood

The collection includes biographical and historical research files in bound volumes and binders with information about the creators of the stereoscopic images, as well as photocopies of material in the collection