Opening: $500 Hammer Price: $500 SOLD Skylight Gallery 13 September 2001

Full plate autochrome of San Francisco skyscrapers by L. C. Beringer ca. 1935, with a period envelope bearing Beringer's orange studio imprint. Apparently taken from the window of Beringer's rooftop studio, 177 Post Street. Overall dimensions 10 x 8 inches (26x20 cm)   ( Inventory# ha94 )

A dynamic image apparently not made for public consumption. The brilliant strip of San Francisco skyline takes up only a portion of the plate, the remainder of which is rendered black by the relative darkness of Beringer’s rooftop studio, out of whose window he has chosen to shoot at an oblique angle. Visible are the Russ Building, the California Commercial Union Building, and the Pacific National Bank Building (since demolished). We also see signage for The White House department store, represented by its rooftop water tank, and Sherman Clay & Co., whose green music, instrument and “talking machine” advertisement is painted onto the side of the store.

Slightly larger than the typical European whole-plate format.

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