Name/Title
1978 Calendar Poster produced by the Victorian Preservation SocietyEntry/Object ID
2020.74.2Description
Acc. No. 20.74.2 A, B
Subject Category; Homes of Alameda; Fraternities and Clubs - Alameda Victorian/Architectural Preservation Society
Date or Period: 1978
Objects: Poster, Calendar
Description:
Poster (2 copies), of light tan paper, with grown ink print, in some places accented with blue in two shades. Central section is a calendar, surrounded by illustrations owith captions under each. The back has further printed text, in brown type. Caption: "Alameda in the San Francisco Bay"; "Victorian Architecture Calendar - Poster"; "1978". At bottom is" "Victorian Homes drawn by Alf Bruseth; Produced by Alameda Victorian Preservation Society".
Size: L22" X W 17"
History of Objects:
Poster Calendar for 1978 from the Victorian Preservation Society as promotional material and fundraising tool. Images by Alf Bruseth, with artist and organization biographies on the back.
Acquired From:
Paul T. Roberts
Donation Date: November 23, 2020
Catalog Date: 12/6/2020
Details:
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Captions of Featured Illustrations:
2103 SAN JOSE AVENUE
Built in 1891 for less than $5,000, the fish scale shingles, corner tower and bay window along with the gabled roof are perfect clues to this classic example of "Queen Anne” architecture.
891 UNION STREET
Hatch Mansion This home was built in 1896 on the original South Shore line. The style is "Fin de Siecle," or end of the century. It combines Victorian features with Colonial and Romanesque Revival and suggests the Brown Shingle style to come. The impression is massiveness and bulk.
2070 SAN JOSE AVENUE
This "Queen Anne" style was built in 1893 for the contractor himself --David Brehaut-at a cost of $4,000. In later years, the double entry is said to have served a doctor and his family-one side for his residence, the other entry for his practice.
PARK STREET AT ALAMEDA AVENUE
Masonic Temple - Circa 1890 This High Victorian Gothic and Romanesque style is unique to Alameda and rare in California. Inside the “Great Hall" are murals of Yosemite Valley. Proposals for its restoration are in review now. This building presently houses three Alameda merchants.
900 CHESTNUT STREET – Circa 1900
These High Peaked Gable Cottages are found commonly on the "flat lands” of the East Bay, Distinguished by the roof, which usually has one or more dormers, and the front porch entry, this style is said to be a Finnish design, reminiscent of the Nordic steeple roof.
1630 CENTRAL AVENUE – Circa 1877
Built for J. Anthony, an executive for the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, in 1877. The style is "Italianate," depicted by the tall, narrow arched windows and doors. Also common to this style are the slanted bay, ornate brackets and almost flat roofs.
1031 SAN ANTONIO AVENUE (Tilden home)
Built in 1896 for the extravagant sum of $8,100, this structure is a copy of a San Francisco home, itself a copy of an Italian Renaissance villa located on the French Riviera. The house is named for its long-time resident, Major Charles L. Tilden, founder of the East Bay Regional Parks.
2254 and 2252 ENCINAL AVENUE
This two-story residence and falsefront cottage are both variations of “Italianate" style. Falsefront was most often designed for commercial purposes to advertise businesses. The flat facade covers the front gable to give the impression of greater size.
2525 CRIST STREET OFF BROADWAY
(The Spite House) – Circa 1908
The Crist Street tract was laid out by the City of Alameda leaving the owner of this property only a 10' x 160' lot. Because the neighbor refused to buy the remaining lot the owner, out of spite, built the narrowest house in Alameda.
2929 LINCOLN AVENUE
Built in 1891. The beautiful gothic detail that adorns the porch of this residence-the curved sunburst pattern and flat sticks-suggest the "Stick-Eastlake" architecture of the Victorian era.
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From the back:
About the artist:
Alf Bruseth began painting in the beautiful mountains of Washington State. Finding his métier historical as well as artistic, he worked on the Federal Art Project "Index of American Design." The complete collection from artists all over the United States are reproduced in several volumes available for reference at libraries. The original water colors are in the National Archives, Vashington, D.C.
He worked at the Naval Supply Center in Oakland where he designed and executed floats for parades.
Working in the Trompe l' Oeil style reminiscent of Willian Harnett, he painted still life in casein and portraits in pastel.
His first rendering of a Victorian house was done in San Francisco in 1948. After moving to Oakland he started working in pen and ink, sometimes just ahead of the wreckers. At this time Victorian structures were considered a blight rather than historical landmarks.
Elinor Richey's book "Ultimate Victorians" includes several reproductions of his work.
He belonged to the Oakland Art Association and exhibited widely in the area.
Before his death in 1974 he had completed 60 pen and ink house portraits. His wish was to keep the collection intact for acquisition by a museum.
About the Alameda Victorian Preservation Society:
The Alameda Victorian Preservation Society is made up of residents and friends interested in preserving the Victorian nature of the city of Alameda. Among the society's objectives are: preserving existing Victorians for historic survey purposes, providing restoration information to the community, and concern with the design of new structures and their relationship with the existing community.
In the short time of its existance, the Society has already undertaken a major preservation project which has been not only recognized by our own community as successful but has been comm
been commended and envied by others. The Victorian cottage that existed at 1520 Grand Street was slated for demolition. The Society purchased it and moved it to its present location at 418 Santa Clara Avenue. The proceeds from the annual Alameda Victorian House Tour, the sale of the calendars, and memberships made this restoration project possible.
We welcome as members all persons who have an interest in preserving Alameda's Victorian heritage. If you would like to join or desire more information please write to The Alameda Victorian Preservation Society, P.0. Box 1677, Alameda, California 94501. Should you prefer, you are welcome to attend any of the monthly meetings held on the fourth Sunday each month at 7:30 at The Factory, 1906 Broadway, Alameda. Yearly memberships are $5 family membership (single vote) $1 additional voting membership, $10 supporting membership, $25 sponsor, and $100 patron.
CALENDAR DESIGN:
CAROLYN L. RYAN
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