original antique photos from the San Francisco Panama-Pacific International Exposition of 1915 (PPIE photos)

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PPIE at San Francisco, CA 1915

In 1915, San Francisco held one of the most fantastic World's Fairs the country has ever seen—the Panama-Pacific International Exposition.
Ostensibly to honor the completion of the Panama Canal, the exposition went much further in its grandeur and broad scope as these photos attest.

These are authentic photos from the official expo photographers, the Cardinell Vincent Company.
Most have the embossed stamp of the photographers and are generally in very good to excellent condition with minimal warping, foxing, etc
(which are quite common to photos that are over 100 years old).

Please click on the thumbnails for enlargements.
You are encouraged to visit www.sanfranciscomemories.com for more history and background of the P.P.I.E.

Darvill's Rare Print Shop was located in San Francisco in the late 1920s through the 1930s and our founder, Fred T. Darvill, Sr., amassed a huge collection of original PPIE photos. We are proud to offer them here.
Please check back often, as we are constantly adding to the site from this impressive historical treasure of original photographs.

The photos below are the original 1915 P.P.I.E. photos that were printed on heavy photo paper and would have been sold to fair-goers.
They are not modern reproductions! The photos are generally in very good to excellent condition, but they are over 100 years old and some mild warping of the paper is to be expected. Any major flaws will be noted.

To jump to a certain type of original antique photograph from the PPIE, please click on one of the below links
Palace of Fine Arts & Peristyle	The Tower of Jewels	The California Building	The Palace of Horticulture
The Mullgardt Tower	Colonnade, Miscellaneous Buildings	Art, Sculpture, Friezes, Murals, Paintings, etc.	Special Events, People

original 105+-year-old photos from the Panama-Pacific International Exposition of 1915, held in San Francisco, California

Court of the Universe
(and statues "The Nations of the Occident" and "The Rising Sun")

MISC-1SEP
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: light browning in lower margin outside of image

Court of the Universe
(and statues "The Nations of the Occident" and "The Rising Sun")

MISC-1BW
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: typical corner wear

Court of the Universe
(and statues "The Nations of the Occident" and "The Rising Sun")

MISC-2SEP
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: none

Court of the Universe
(and statues "The Nations of the Occident" and "The Rising Sun")

MISC-3SEP
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: none

Court of the Universe
(and statues "The Nations of the Occident" and "The Rising Sun")

MISC-4SEP
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: light soiling in sky area

Court of the Universe
(and statues "The Nations of the Occident" and "The Rising Sun")

MISC-5SEP
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: light soiling in sky, typical edge/corner wear

$35
(Sepia)

Court of the Universe
(and statues "The Nations of the Occident" and "The Rising Sun")

MISC-6SEP
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: typical edge/corner wear

Court of the Universe
(and statue"The Nations of the Occident")

MISC-7SEP
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: typical edge/corner wear

Court of the Universe
(and statue"The Nations of the Occident")

MISC-7BW
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: light age toning around edges

$30
(Black and White)

Court of the Universe
(and statues "The Nations of the Occident" and "Rising Sun")

MISC-8SEP
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: none

$30
(Sepia)

Court of the Universe
(and statue "The Nations of the Occident")

MISC-8BW
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: light age toning around edges

The Italian Pavillion
(and various statues)

MISC-9SEP
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: none

$25
(Sepia)

The Italian Pavillion
(and various statues)

MISC-9BUFF
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: none

$20
(Special Buff)

The Italian Pavillion
(and various statues)

MISC-9BW
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: none

$20
(Black and White)

The Italian Pavillion

MISC-10SEP
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: none

The Italian Pavillion
(and various statues)

MISC-10BW
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: light browning around edges

$20
(Black and White)

The Italian Pavillion
(and various statues)

MISC-11SEP
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: mottling and toning on image—possibly occured during developing? Not terribly detracting.

$15
(Sepia)

The Italian Pavillion
(and various statues)

MISC-11BUFF
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: mild browning around edges; light brown spot (buff toner?) in middle arch—not as noticeable as scan shows

$15
(Special Buff)

The Italian Pavillion
(and various statues)

MISC-11BW
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: mild edge/corner wear

$20
(Black and White)

The French Pavillion

MISC-12BW
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: grubbiness and scuffing in sky and edges—recommend mounting/matting to just above building for most pleasing appearance.

View from the Palace of Machinery

MISC-13BW
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: paper damage lower left corner (could be easily covered by a mat); spot in sky on right side; minor silvering around edges.

$25
(Black and White)

[unidentified courtyard/pavillion]

MISC-14SEP
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: none

$20
(Sepia)

[unidentified building]

MISC-15BUFF
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: light scuffing in sky

$20
(Buff)

Mississippi Building

MISC-16BW
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: light toning around edges

$20
(Black and White)

[unidentified building]

MISC-17SEP
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: none

$20
(Black and White)

[unidentified building]

MISC-18BW
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: pinholes in corners

$20
(Black and White)

[unidentified building]

MISC-19BUFF/LIGHT SEPIA
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: light soiling in extreme outer edges of paper

$25
(Light Sepia or Buff)

[unidentified building]

MISC-20SEPIA
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: dark developing; slight soiling in margins

$20
(Sepia)

Pennsylvania Building

MISC-21SEPIA
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: faint smudge left center

$25
(Sepia)

Australia Building

MISC-22BW
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: no margins, silvering around edges

$25
(Black and White)

[unidentified building]

MISC-23SEP
(7" x 9 3/4 ")

Condition issues: no margins

$15
(Sepia)

unidentified

MISC-24BUFF
(6 3/4 " x 10 3/4")

Condition issues: no margins, edge and corner wear

$15
(Buff)

French Lecture Room

MISC-25SEP
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: light scuff left side

$20
(Sepia)

Educational Building

MISC-26BW
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: none

$20
(Black and White)

Educational Building

MISC-27BUFF
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: none

$20
(Buff)

Entrance to the
Court of Abundance

MISC-28BW
(7 3/4 " x 9 3/4 ")

Condition issues: no margins, scratched lower left, somewhat darkly developed; silvered edges

$10
(Black and White)

Entrance to the Court of Palms

MISC-30SEPIA
(8" x 10")

Condition issues:mild browning around edges

Portal of Educational Bldg
Court of Palms

MISC-29SEPIA
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: none

$25
(Sepia)

Portal of Educational Bldg
Court of Palms

MISC-29BUFF
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: mild browning around edges

$20
(Buff)

Court of Abundance

MISC-31BUFF
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: light scuff mark upper left corner

Court of Abundance

MISC-32SEP
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: light soiling in sky area

Court of Abundance

MISC-32BUFF
(8" x 10")

Condition issues: none

$25
(Buff)

unidentified, greenhouses

MISC-33HANDTINT
(7 3/4 " x 6")

Condition issues: no margins
hand tinted

$20
(Hand tinted)


Court of Palms Portal
MISC-34 BUFF DIFFUSED (10 7/8" x 13 7/8")
Condition issues: short tear bottom middle (intentionally diffused for a "dreamy" effect)
$25 (Buff Diffused)


[unidentified]
MISC-35 BUFF DIFFUSED (10 1/2" x 13 1/4")
Condition issues: none (intentionally diffused for a "dreamy" effect)
$25 (Buff Diffused)


[unidentified]
MISC-36 BW (13 1/2" x 10 1/2")
Condition issues: none


[unidentified]
MISC-37 BW (14" x 11")
Condition issues: none
$25 (B/W)


[unidentified court, fountain, statue]
MISC-38 BUFF DIFFUSED (14" x 11")
Condition issues: minor spotting in sky area, slight edge/corner wear (intentionally diffused for a "dreamy" effect)
$35 (Buff Diffused)


Horticulture Palace
MISC-39 BUFF DIFFUSED (11" x 14")
Condition issues: silvering around edges, slight edge/corner wear (intentionally diffused for a "dreamy" effect)
$35 (Buff Diffused)


Festival Hall
MISC-40 BUFF (11" x 14")
Condition issues: silvering around edges, slight edge/corner wear, some light soiling in sky and around edges


Court of the Four Seasons with Tower of Jewels in background
MISC-41 SEPIA (13 1/2" x 10 1/2")
Condition issues: none


Mullgardt's Tower, Court of Abundance
MISC-42 BUFF (12 3/4" x 10")
Condition issues: silvering around edges, slight edge/corner wear (printed on thinner paper than others)
$35 (Buff)


Mullgardt's Tower, Court of Abundance
MISC-43 BUFF (14" x 11")
Condition issues: silvering around edges, edge/corner wear, somewhat soiled
$35 (Buff)


unidentified tower and courtyard
MISC-44 SEPIA (10 3/4" x 13 3/4")
Condition issues: faint silvering around edges, minor edge/corner wear
$35 (Sepia)


unidentified corridor
MISC-45 BUFF (10 3/4" x 13 3/4")
Condition issues: faint silvering around edges, edge/corner wear including very faint crease upper right corner and dog-eared crease lower right corner, old paper remnants on BACK of photo
$20 (Buff)


unidentified statue or frieze
MISC-46 BUFF DIFFUSED (10 1/2" x 13 3/4")
Condition issues: faint silvering around edges, minor edge/corner wear, old paper remnants on BACK of photo, purposely diffused photo for "dreamy" effect
$20 (Buff)


Food Production Palace
MISC-47 BUFF (13 5/8" x 10 5/8")
Condition issues: faint silvering around edge, a couple of spots in sky area


Lafayette statue and dome of the Palace of Fine Arts
MISC-48 BUFF DIFFUSED (14" x 11")
Condition issues: faint silvering around edges, minor edge/corner wear, purposely diffused photo for "dreamy" effect


California Building and Forbidden Garden
MISC-49 BUFF (13 3/8" x 10 1/2")
Condition issues: faint silvering around edges, minor edge/corner wear


California Building
MISC-50 SEPIA (14" x 11")
Condition issues: faint silvering around edges, minor edge/corner wear
$30 (Sepia)


California Building
MISC-51 SEPIA (10 7/8" x 10 7/8")
Condition issues: faint silvering around edges, minor edge/corner wear
$30 (Sepia)


Lafayette statue and dome of the Palace of Fine Arts
MISC-52 SEPIA (13 7/8" x 11")
Condition issues: edge/corner wear/tears, printed on thinner paper
$25 (Sepia)


Palace of Machinery
MISC-53 B/W (13 1/2" x 10")
Condition issues: faint silvering around edges, very minor edge/corner wear
$30 (B/W)


California Building and Forbidden Gardens
MISC-54 BUFF OR LIGHT SEPIA (13 3/8" x 10 1/2")
Condition issues: faint silvering around edges, very minor edge/corner wear
$30 (BUFF OR LIGHT SEPIA)


Pond and Columns
MISC-55 HAND-COLORED (9 7/8" x 6")
Condition issues: faint silvering around edges, very minor edge/corner wear
$30 (HAND-COLORED)


unidentified exhibit
MISC-56 B/W GLOSSY on thinner paper (9 3/4" x 7 3/4")
Condition issues: bend in lower left corner
$20 (B/W GLOSSY)


'Pure Fresh Milk' exhibit
MISC-57 B/W GLOSSY on thinner paper (9 7/8" x 7 7/8")
Condition issues: margins a little soiled
$20 (B/W GLOSSY)


US Government exhibit
MISC-58 SEPIA? on thinner paper (12 3/4" x 10 1/8")
Condition issues: light silvering around edges
$25 (SEPIA?)


US states exhibit?
MISC-59 SEPIA? on thinner paper (11 7/8" x 10")
Condition issues: light silvering around edges
$25 (SEPIA?)


unidentified exhibit
MISC-60 SEPIA (9 7/8" x 7 7/8")
Condition issues: none
$25 (SEPIA)


unidentified exhibit
MISC-61 SEPIA (13 3/4" x 11")
Condition issues: mild edge/corner wear and silvering around edges
$30 (SEPIA)


unidentified exhibit
MISC-62 B/W (14" x 11")
Condition issues: mild edge/corner wear and silvering around edges
$30 (B/W)


Court of the Ages
MISC-63 HC (8 7/8" x 12 7/8")
Condition issues: photo is "tipped" at top edges only to a card stock backing. The upper left corner of the photo has torn from the backing. The backing is a bit grubby, but the photo itself is very nice apart from the tear in the upper left corner.
$40 (Hand-colored)


Court of the Ages
MISC-64 BUFF (6 7/8" x 9 7/8")
Condition issues: bottom has paper damage, silvering around edges
$15 (Buff)


Cloister at the Court of Palms
MISC-65 BW (8" x 10")
Condition issues: a few whitish spots that were on negative when printed
$15 (B/W)


unidentified ornate doorway
MISC-66 BW (7 3/4" x 9 3/4")
Condition issues: none
$15 (B/W)


Court of the Universe, with 'Nations of the Orient' on the left
MISC-67 BW (9" x 7")
Condition issues: mild edge/corner wear
$20 (B/W)


Nations of the Orient Gateway
MISC-68 BW (7 3/4" x 9 3/4")
Condition issues: mild edge/corner wear, silvering around edges, photo is somewhat faint or diffused
$20 (B/W)


The Idaho Building
MISC-69 BW (9 3/4" x 7 3/4")
Condition issues: please refer to enlargement by clicking on above thumbnail image
$20 (B/W)


The Inside Inn
MISC-70 BW (9 3/4" x 7 3/4")
Condition issues: please refer to enlargement by clicking on above thumbnail image, sky area is somewhat grubby
$10 (B/W)


The Missouri Building
MISC-71 BW (10" x 8")
Condition issues: please refer to enlargement by clicking on above thumbnail image
$20 (B/W)


The Palace of Machinery
MISC-72 BW (9 5/8" x 7 5/8")
Condition issues: please refer to enlargement by clicking on above thumbnail image
$15 (B/W)


Education Building
MISC-73 BUFF DIFFUSED (15 1/4" x 19 3/4")
Condition notes: slight silvering around edges, minor edge/corner wear including paper loss lower right corner (photo is intentionally diffused for a "dreamy" effect)
$40


Education Building
MISC-74 BUFF DIFFUSED (12" x 18 1/2")
Condition notes: slight silvering around edges, minor edge/corner wear, light specks in image, remnant of photographer's paper label upper left corner (probably can be cleaned) (photo is intentionally diffused for a "dreamy" effect)
$15


Education Building
MISC-75 BUFF DIFFUSED (19 1/2" x 12 1/8")
Condition notes: slight silvering around edges, minor edge/corner wear including paper loss lower right corner (archivally taped), light scratch lower right (photo is intentionally diffused for a "dreamy" effect)
$35


Education Building
MISC-76 BUFF (19 5/8" x 11 7/8")
Condition notes: slight silvering around edges, minor edge/corner wear


Education Building
MISC-77 BUFF (19 3/4" x 15 1/2")
Condition notes: slight silvering around edges, minor edge/corner wear, short tear middle left edge
$45


California Building
MISC-78 BUFF (19 3/4" x 15 1/2")
Condition notes: slight silvering around edges, minor edge/corner wear, tack holes in extreme corners of paper, some soiling upper left corner
$45


Colonnades at the California Building
MISC-78 SEPIA DIFFUSED (18 1/8" x 12")
Condition notes: darkroom stain upper left corner
$40


Looking toward the Horticultural Palace
MISC-79 BUFF (14" x 18 3/4")
Condition notes: a few scattered light spots in image


Arch looking through to the Court of the Universe at night
MISC-80 BUFF (15 1/4" x 19 1/2")
Condition notes: silvering around edges, white spots in lower image
$30


Arch looking through to the Court of the Universe at night
MISC-81 BUFF (19 1/2" x 15 1/2")
Condition notes: silvering around edges, edge/corner wear, light specks
$35


Courtyard of the California Building
MISC-82 BUFF DIFFUSED (19 1/4" x 15 1/4")
Condition notes: silvering around edges, edge/corner wear, remnant of photographer's paper label lower left corner


The Court of the Universe
MISC-83 BUFF DIFFUSED (19 5/8" x 15 1/2")
Condition notes: silvering around edges, edge/corner wear, remnant of photographer's paper label upper left corner, corner bend upper left
$35


The Court of the Universe
MISC-84 BUFF DIFFUSED (19 1/2" x 15 1/2")
Condition notes: silvering around edges, edge/corner wear, remnant of photographer's paper label upper left corner, corner bend upper right


Yacht Harbor by Night
MISC-85 BUFF (19 1/2" x 15 1/4")
Condition notes: silvering around edges, edge/corner wear, remnant of photographer's paper label lower left corner, faint vertical crease


Yacht Harbor by Night
MISC-85 BUFF (19 3/8" x 15 3/8")
Condition notes: silvering around edges, damage upper left corner, edge and corner wear and short tears
$25

(The Tower of Jewels)

To jump to a certain type of original antique photograph from the PPIE, please click on one of the below links
Palace of Fine Arts & Peristyle	The Tower of Jewels	The California Building	The Palace of Horticulture
The Mullgardt Tower	Colonnade, Miscellaneous Buildings	Art, Sculpture, Friezes, Murals, Paintings, etc.	Special Events, People

PPIE photos home page