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Photo, Print, Drawing Lower West Side, Buffalo, N.Y., 1972-77

[ digital files from original contact sheets ]

Full online access to this resource is only available at the Library of Congress.

About this Item

Title

  • Lower West Side, Buffalo, N.Y., 1972-77

Summary

  • Photographs show the poor and ethnically diverse communities of Buffalo's Lower West Side, representing the first of four visits Rogovin made to this area over a thirty-year period (from 1972-2002). Images include portraits of African American, Italian American, Native American, Puerto Rican, and white families at home, often with pictures, religious items, pets, and other personal possessions. Rogovin also photographed people away from home: inside retail shops and restaurants, outside shops, socializing outdoors. Many street views include storefronts, shop windows, markets, and residences. Neighborhood activities are reflected in photographs of festivals, religious services, and weddings. Close-ups of posted flyers, signs, and graffiti, are scattered throughout, several document the community's response to the Attica Prison riots of September 1971.

Names

  • Rogovin, Milton, 1909-2011, photographer

Created / Published

  • 1972-1977.

Headings

  • -  African Americans--New York (State)--Buffalo--1970-1980
  • -  Italian Americans--New York (State)--Buffalo--1970-1980
  • -  Indians of North America--New York (State)--Buffalo--1970-1980
  • -  Puerto Ricans--New York (State)--Buffalo--1970-1980
  • -  Lower West Side (Buffalo, N.Y.)--1970-1980
  • -  Working class--New York (State)--Buffalo--1970-1980
  • -  Families--New York (State)--Buffalo--1970-1980
  • -  Domestic life--New York (State)--Buffalo--1970-1980
  • -  Ethnic neighborhoods--New York (State)--Buffalo--1970-1980

Format Headings

  • Contact sheets--1970-1980.
  • Film negatives--1970-1980.
  • Gelatin silver prints--1970-1980.
  • Group portraits--1970-1980.
  • Portrait photographs--1970-1980.

Genre

  • Portrait photographs--1970-1980
  • Group portraits--1970-1980
  • Contact sheets--1970-1980
  • Gelatin silver prints--1970-1980
  • Film negatives--1970-1980

Notes

  • -  Arrangement: The LOT has two sections. LOT 13526-1 is photographs printed by Rogovin. LOT 13526-2 is contact sheets showing all the negative frames.
  • -  Corresponding negatives in series: LC-RG15-R.
  • -  LOT title derived from photographer's filing series.
  • -  Contact sheets bear caption information transcribed from original negative sleeves. Photocopies of Rogovin's log are in the LOT for further caption information.
  • -  Forms part of: Milton Rogovin photograph collection.
  • -  Gift; Milton Rogovin; 1999; (DLC/PP-1999:085).
  • -  DCRM(G) example 1B6 - insufficiently descriptive title

Medium

  • 136 photographic prints : gelatin silver ; 8 x 10 in. or smaller.
  • 445 contact sheets : gelatin silver ; 8 x 10 in. or smaller.
  • ca. 1,750 negatives : b&w ; 2.25 x 2.25 in.

Call Number/Physical Location

  • LOT 13526 (H) [P&P]

Source Collection

  • Rogovin, Milton, 1909- Milton Rogovin photograph collection

Repository

  • Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA

Digital Id

Library of Congress Control Number

  • 2004667069

Reproduction Number

  • LC-DIG-ppmsca-13158 (digital files from original contact sheets)

Rights Advisory

Access Advisory

Online Format

  • image

Additional Metadata Formats

Rights & Access

The Library of Congress generally does not own rights to material in its collections and, therefore, cannot grant or deny permission to publish or otherwise distribute the material. For information about assessing rights, see the Rights and Restrictions Information page.

  • Rights Advisory: Publication may be restricted. For information see "Milton Rogovin" (http://lcweb.loc.gov/rr/print/res/162_rogo.html)
  • Reproduction Number: LC-DIG-ppmsca-13158 (digital files from original contact sheets)
  • Call Number: LOT 13526 (H) [P&P]
  • Access Advisory: Served only by appointment because the material requires special handling. For more information, see: Materials Designated "Served by Appointment Only" https://aj.sunback.homes/rr/print/info/617_apptonly.html

Obtaining Copies

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  1. Is the item digitized? (A thumbnail (small) image will be visible on the left.)

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      As a preservation measure, we generally do not serve an original item when a digital image is available. If you have a compelling reason to see the original, consult with a reference librarian. (Sometimes, the original is simply too fragile to serve. For example, glass and film photographic negatives are particularly subject to damage. They are also easier to see online where they are presented as positive images.)
    • No, the item is not digitized. Please go to #2.
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Cite This Item

Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.

Chicago citation style:

Rogovin, Milton, photographer. Lower West Side, Buffalo, N.Y., -77. New York Buffalo Lower West Side, 1972. to 1977. Photograph. https://aj.sunback.homes/item/2004667069/.

APA citation style:

Rogovin, M., photographer. (1972) Lower West Side, Buffalo, N.Y., -77. New York Buffalo Lower West Side, 1972. to 1977. [Photograph] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://aj.sunback.homes/item/2004667069/.

MLA citation style:

Rogovin, Milton, photographer. Lower West Side, Buffalo, N.Y., -77. to 1977. Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <aj.sunback.homes/item/2004667069/>.