Hedrich-Blessing photograph collection, part 1, [ca. 1929-1989, bulk 1933-1969]

  • Collection ID 1991.0505, etc.
  • Creator Names Hedrich-Blessing (Firm), photographer. pht
  • Title Hedrich-Blessing photograph collection, part 1 [graphic].
  • Dates [ca. 1929-1989, bulk 1933-1969]
  • Physical description
    • ca. 80,000 photographic prints : b&w ; 8 x 10 in. or smaller.
    • 16 photographic prints : b&w ; 11 x 14 or smaller, some cropped.
    • ca. 150,000 negatives : b&w ; 8 x 10 in. or smaller.
    • ca. 100 negatives : nitrate ; 8 x 10 in. or smaller.
    • ca. 100 negatives : glass ; 4 x 5 in. or smaller.
    • ca. 2,000 photographic prints : col. ; 8 x 10 in. or smaller.
    • ca. 10,000 transparencies : col. ; 8 x 10 in. or smaller.
    • 2 v. (39 photographic prints) : b&w and col. ; 14 1/2 x 14 3/4 x 1/2 in.
  • Collection arrangement Arranged by job-number and medium.
  • Access and usage restrictions
    • Advance appointment required to view color materials in cold storage.
    • Original nitrate negatives are closed; please consult the online images instead for items that have URLs in the online catalog records for individual job-files.
  • Collection summary
    • Photographic archives of the first 40 years of work produced by Hedrich-Blessing, a Chicago photography studio that specializes in architectural and design photography. Images primarily show interior and exterior views of buildings and structures, including office buildings, industrial buildings, houses, apartment buildings, schools, stores, hotels, theaters, and restaurants. Job-files sometimes include views of building models, renderings, building construction, workers, architects, and clients.
    • Includes photographs made for prominent Chicago architects, designers and architectural firms, such as Holabird & Root; Skidmore, Owings and Merrill; Mies van der Rohe; and Frank Lloyd Wright; as well as more architects and designers. Also includes photographs made for major clients, such as United States Gypsum Company, Marshall Field & Company, Meredith Publishing Services (publishers of Better Homes & Gardens, Successful Farming, and other popular magazines), furniture and real estate dealers in the Chicago area and elsewhere, and other companies relating to domestic and commercial built environments in Chicago and other United States locations. Includes a small amount of work for non-United States clients. Accompanied by two sample books showing black-and-white and color photography.
  • Terms Governing Use and Reproduction
    • The online images are supplied for reference purposes only. All other uses are restricted unless approved in writing by the Chicago History Museum. To obtain copies of images or permission to reproduce or distribute images, please contact the Rights and Reproductions Office by email to RightsRepro@chicagohistory.org or write to 1601 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614-6038.
    • Credit photographer(s).
  • Finding Aids Note
    • To see online catalog records for each job file and for series-level summaries, search in the on-line catalog at Chicago History Museum, Research Center, for specific topics, buildings, architects, or addresses. About 10,000 online images are included.
    • Finding aids also available in notebooks in the Research Center, Chicago History Museum.
  • Location of Other Archival Materials Note Related materials at Chicago History Museum, Research Center, include the Hedrich-Blessing photograph collection, part 2, ca. 1969-1989, bulk 1970-1979 (1998.0192) and the Hedrich-Blessing office files, ca. 1939-1979.
  • Acquisition information This collection was acquired by gift and by purchase from Hedrich-Blessing, which retains its more recent photographs and continues in business in Chicago (1991.0505). Part 2 (1998.0192) is described in a separate catalog record.
  • Names
    • Hedrich-Blessing (Firm) Archives.
    • Century of Progress International Exposition (1933-1934 : Chicago, Ill.) Photographs.
    • Mies van der Rohe, Ludwig, 1886-1969.
    • Wright, Frank Lloyd, 1867-1959.
    • Holabird & Root (1928-1945)
    • Holabird & Root (1957- )
    • Marshall Field & Company
    • Meredith Publishing Services (Des Moines, Iowa)
    • Skidmore, Owings & Merrill
    • United States Gypsum Co.
  • Subjects
    • Apartment houses Illinois Photographs.
    • Apartment houses United States Photographs.
    • Architectural photography Illinois Chicago 20th century.
    • Commercial buildings Illinois Chicago Photographs.
    • Commercial buildings United States Photographs.
    • Commercial photography Illinois Chicago 20th century.
    • Dwellings Illinois Photographs.
    • Dwellings United States Photographs.
    • Bathrooms United States. aat
    • Bedrooms United States. aat
    • Kitchens United States. aat
    • Living rooms United States. aat
    • Architectural models Illinois Chicago Photographs.
    • Architectural models United States Photographs.
    • Architects Illinois Chicago Photographs.
    • Interior decoration United States Photographs.
    • Photographers Illinois Chicago 20th century.
    • Exhibitions Chicago Illinois Photographs.
    • Fairs Chicago Illinois Photographs.
  • Geographic coverage
    • Chicago (Ill.) Buildings, structures, etc. 20th century.
    • United States Buildings, structures, etc. 20th century.
  • Genre
    • Exterior views. aat
    • Interior views. aat
    • Film negatives. gmgpc
    • Film transparencies Color. gmgpc
    • Gelatin silver prints. gmgpc