La Femme D'Argent

My mom sent me this video, sent to her by my great-aunt. It's a 35 mm film of San Francisco filmed in 1906, 4 days before the earthquake. It's just incredible seeing the pedestrians and cars and buggies, and some of the same architecture that is there now. I love the history here.

Here is some more descriptive copy:

This film was "lost" for many years. It was supposedly the first 35 mm film ever? It was taken by camera mounted on the front of a cable car.

The number of automobiles is staggering for 1906. Absolutely amazing! The clock tower at the end of Market Street at the Embarcadero wharf is still there.

This film, originally thought to be from 1905 until David Kiehn with the Niles EssanaySilent Film Museum figured out exactly when it was shot.

From New York trade papers announcing the film showing, to the wet streets from recent heavy rainfall & shadows indicating time of year & actual weather and conditions on historical record, even when the cars were registered (he even knows who owned them and when the plates were issued!).

It was filmed only four days before the earthquake and shipped by train to NY for processing.



or see it here on YouTube