Skip to main content

Bachrach Photograph Collection

 Collection
Identifier: P024

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of 156 8x10 inch portraits, of which only one is in black and white. The images were used in an exhibit titled Washington’s Millennium Leaders – Through the Bachrach Lens, which was on display at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library from January 24, 2002 through April 2002. During the exhibition two images, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and Armstrong Williams, were stolen and never recovered. Bachrach Studios was asked to replace the missing images, however the request from Ms. Haskins went unanswered. Each portrait is matted and permanently mounted between sheets of mat board. As part of the exhibit, each person’s names and affiliations have been placed on each mounting. The collection is arranged alphabetically by surname, which is believed to be the exhibits original order.

Dates

  • Creation: 2002

Creator

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Use

Bachrach Studios retains all copyright to the images in this collection and patrons are NOT permitted to order photographic reproductions through the DC Public Library without written permission from the Bachrach Studios. It is the patron’s responsibility to contact and obtain reproductions/permissions from Bachrach Studios.

Biographical / Historical

The Bachrach Studio was founded in Baltimore, Maryland in 1868 by David Bachrach, Jr., who is believed to have taken the only known photograph of Abraham Lincoln at the dedication of the Gettysburg National Cemetery. The studio has photographed every United States President since President Lincoln. Mr. Bachrach sought to photograph those he considered to be important people of the time including: Charles Lindbergh, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Muhammad Ali, among others. Bachrach Studios remains a family owned business as of 2020.

Extent

12 Boxes

4 Linear feet

Arrangement

Processed at item level without series.

Custodial History

There is no deed of gift. However, a letter from archivist Faye Haskins indicates that the collection was donated in June 2002 after the exhibit, Washington’s Millennium Leaders – Through the Bachrach Lens, concluded.

Processing Information

After the exhibition the portrait panels were accessioned into the Library’s collection and placed in archival storage boxes. In 2006, sheets of buffer paper were placed between each image for added protection and the boxes were returned to the Archives for long-term storage.

Title
Bachrach
Subtitle
An inventory of the Bachrach Photograph Collection at DC Public Library
Author
Finding aid prepared by Mark S. Greek.
Date
2006-08
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the The People's Archive, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library Repository

Contact:
901 G Street NW
4th Floor East
Washington DC 20001
(202)727-1213