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Farm Security Administration photographs, approximately 1930s-1940s

 Collection
Identifier: 1980-002

Scope and Contents

A collection of photographs produced from the Farm Security Administration files held by the Library of Congress. A copy of all photographs identified to Oklahoma during the 1930s and early 1940s were ordered. While the subject matter of the photographs varies, there is extensive documentation of the effects of the Depression on Oklahoma residents, as well as oil wells and refineries, railroads and farm activities. Nearly all of the photographs were taken by Russell Lee, although the collection does include smaller numbers taken by Jack Delano, Dorothea Lange, John Vachon and Arthur Rothstein. All photographs are captioned in pencil on their versos.

The Farm Security Administration Photographs, housed in three standard-sized and one half standard-sized document boxes, consists of approximately 1,350 images reproduced from the original negatives of the Farm Security Administration photographs housed in the Library of Congress. The majority of the images were made by Russell Lee, but the collection includes a smaller number made by Jack Delano, Dorothea Lange, John Vachon and Arthur Rothstein. All photographs are attributed to Lee unless otherwise noted.

The photographs (in 8 x 10 format) are arranged by the order numbers assigned to them by the Library of Congress rather than by subject matter or related images.

Dates

  • Creation: approximately 1930s-1940s

Creator

Language

The photographs themselves have no linguistic content. However, all notations on verso of the photographs are in English.

Access

This material is open for research use by any registered reader. This material is housed off-site and will require advance notice of 1 business day for use.

Use and Copyright

These photographs are copies of the originals held by the Library of Congress and may not be reproduced. Permission to publish or reproduce must be secured from the copyright holder, The Library of Congress.

Biographical / Historical

In 1980, David Farmer (Curator, Department of Special Collections, McFarlin Library at that time) selected images pertaining to Oklahoma during the 1930’s and early 1940’s for reproduction from the approximately 272,000 images that were originally created for the FSA project. While the subject matter of the photographs varies, there is extensive documentation of the effects of the Depression on Oklahoma residents as well as oil wells and refineries, railroads, and farm activities.

The majority of the images were made by Russell Lee, but the collection includes a smaller number made by Jack Delano, Dorothea Lange, John Vachon and Arthur Rothstein. All photographs are attributed to Lee unless otherwise noted.

Extent

2 Linear Feet (4 boxes containing approximately 1,350 black/white 8 x 10" format glossy images.)

Physical Location

Collection shelved at off-site storage.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchase

Subject

Source

Title
Farm Security Administration photographs, circa 1930s-1940s
Status
Completed
Author
Milissa Burkart
Date
1986 August
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the The University of Tulsa, McFarlin Library, Department of Special Collections & University Archives Repository

Contact:
McFarlin Library
University of Tulsa
2933 E. 6th St
Tulsa 74104-3123 USA
(918) 631-2496