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Image 1 of / 12 Caption Close Image 2 of 12 Written on the back: SF Drake, Congregational Church, Southard Ruins Flood Bldg., Bush & Taylor looking towards The Mission. 1906 San Francisco earthquake photos from the collection of Bob Bragman. Written on the back: SF Drake, Congregational Church, Southard Ruins Flood Bldg., Bush & Taylor looking towards The Mission. 1906 San Francisco earthquake photos from the collection of Bob Bragman. Image 3 of 12 1906 San Francisco earthquake photos from the collection of Bob Bragman. A helpful reader says that this is the Lincoln School at 5th & Market looking South. 1906 San Francisco earthquake photos from the collection of Bob Bragman. A helpful reader says that this is the Lincoln School at 5th & Market looking South. Image 4 of 12 1906 San Francisco earthquake photos from the collection of Bob Bragman. The approximate location is probably from Pink Alley & Pearl St looking at Elgin Park in the foreground. 1906 San Francisco earthquake photos from the collection of Bob Bragman. The approximate location is probably from Pink Alley & Pearl St looking at Elgin Park in the foreground. Image 5 of 12 Image 6 of 12 The writing on the back of this photo is only partially legible. It clearly says California St. Then it looks like it says Metral opera? So, it could be the remains of one of the opera houses. 1906 San Francisco earthquake photos from the collection of Bob Bragman. less The writing on the back of this photo is only partially legible. It clearly says California St. Then it looks like it says Metral opera? So, it could be the remains of one of the opera houses. 1906 San ... more Image 7 of 12 There is no identifying information on the back. This is the Hibernia Bank building with St Boniface Church peeking out above. 1906 San Francisco earthquake photos from the collection of Bob Bragman. There is no identifying information on the back. This is the Hibernia Bank building with St Boniface Church peeking out above. 1906 San Francisco earthquake photos from the collection of Bob Bragman. Image 8 of 12 From the back of this photos: Looking up Mason Street from Market -. A helpful reader informs me that the Poodle Dog restaurantis on the right, and the Flood mansion is at the top of the hill on the left. 1906 San Francisco earthquake photos from the collection of Bob Bragman. less From the back of this photos: Looking up Mason Street from Market -. A helpful reader informs me that the Poodle Dog restaurantis on the right, and the Flood mansion is at the top of the hill on the left. ... more Image 9 of 12 There is no identifying information on the back of this photos. But, a kind reader wrote to say that he believes that this photo is 701 Post Street. The 1904 city directory lists the Warren Apartments at that location. 1906 San Francisco earthquake photos from the collection of Bob Bragman. less There is no identifying information on the back of this photos. But, a kind reader wrote to say that he believes that this photo is 701 Post Street. The 1904 city directory lists the Warren Apartments at that ... more Image 10 of 12 Image 11 of 12 It says Young Men's Christian Association above the entrance of this building. The location was 208 Mason (Mason & Ellis) in the Tenderloin.1906 San Francisco earthquake photos from the collection of Bob Bragman. less It says Young Men's Christian Association above the entrance of this building. The location was 208 Mason (Mason & Ellis) in the Tenderloin.1906 San Francisco earthquake photos from the collection of Bob ... more Image 12 of 12 SF rumbled and burned 108 years ago - new photos uncovered 1 / 12 Back to Gallery

Most of my Sunday mornings are spent wandering about at flea markets. I’ve been doing this for about the past 40 years. I try to discipline myself when it comes to buying, limiting the buying to photos and a few other areas of interest. But, who am I kidding. It doesn’t always work out that way.

My interest in historical or vintage photos of San Francisco and the Bay Area has been unwavering, especially those that depict the 1906 earthquake and fire. A few weekends ago I spotted some photos in a zip lock bag. I picked it up and saw that the first one was an ’06 quake photos. The vendor said that they were just cutouts from a magazine. She was asking $5.00 for them. I saw that, at the very least, the first one was a real photo. I made the purchase.

When I got home I removed the items from the plastic bag. They turned out to be photos and not magazine cut outs. I buy these for my personal collection, so I’m not looking to resell them. The historical value is what excites me. Thousands of photos were taken in the aftermath. I’m never sure if I’ve found a depiction that’s never been seen before. It’s often a same street or structure, but from a different angle.

If you’re lucky, there will be identifying information written on the back of the photos. Out of the nine in the batch, three had writing on the back, one was only partially legible. I’ll include the text from the back of those photos. Perhaps one of you can fill in the where/what blanks for the others. You can either contact me at collecting@sfgate.com, or post the info in the comments area. Thanks, Bob