Title:
Street Scene in San Francisco Chinatown – A.J. McDonald, ca. 1880s
Description:
This original mounted albumen print depicts a lively street scene in San Francisco’s historic Chinatown during the late 19th century. The view looks along a gently rising street lined with ornate, multi-story Victorian and Italianate buildings. Balconies with decorative woodwork and shop awnings punctuate the facades, and a large fabric banner reading “Finest & Japanese Fancy Goods” is prominently displayed above the sidewalk.In the street, groups of pedestrians—including Chinese and Euro-American figures—walk along the unpaved roadway and sidewalks, conveying the vibrancy of this important cultural district. The image captures an important period when Chinatown was the center of Chinese immigrant life in California.
This photograph is labeled in the negative at the bottom edge:
“161 STREET SCENE IN CHINATOWN” and bears a handwritten inscription in ink below the image mount: “San Francisco.”
Photographic Type:
Albumen print on original oversized cabinet card mount. 
Technique:
Likely produced from a glass plate negative with a long exposure, as evidenced by the blurred motion of several figures and carriages.
Estimated Dimensions:
Image: approx. 11 × 19 cm (4.3 × 7.5 in)
Mount: approx. 13 × 21.5 cm (5.1 × 8.4 in)
Date:
c. 1890s
Photographer:
A.J. McDonald, 426 Kearny Street, San Francisco, California.
The reverse bears his violet ink stamp along with C. Beach, Bookseller & Stationer, 107 Montgomery St., S.F., suggesting this was retailed locally as a souvenir or documentary view.
Condition:
The image shows overall fading consistent with albumen prints of this age, with contrast loss but clear legibility of details under angled light.
Toning and slight soiling to mount.
Corners remain squared with minimal edge wear.
No tears, creases, or repairs noted.
Keywords:
San Francisco, Chinatown, Chinese American history, 19th century street scene, California photography, A.J. McDonald, albumen print, cabinet card, ethnic studies, urban history
References:
Hannavy, J. (Ed.). (2008). Encyclopedia of Nineteenth-Century Photography. Routledge.
Palmquist, P.E., & Kailbourn, T.R. (2000). Pioneer Photographers of the Far West: A Biographical Dictionary, 1840–1865. Stanford University Press.