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A leading photographer of the early 20th century prior to World War I, Karl Struss invented a soft-focus lens that revolutionized the photography of the period. After World War I, Struss turned to cinematography and had a Hollywood career for more than 40 years. The Karl Struss Papers at the Carter are made up of three collections that cover his personal and professional life as a photographer and cinematographer.
The Craig Rhea Collection of Karl Struss Papers
This collection contains the personal and business correspondence of Struss, business records, exhibition catalogues, clippings, and a small sampling of photos from a movie set. It covers the years 1901 to 1977 with the bulk of items from 1915 to 1930.
The John and Susan Harvith Collection of Karl Struss Papers
This collection contains gallery announcements, newspaper clippings, and a few periodicals from late in Struss’s career, the bulk from 1975 to 1986.
The Stephen White Collection of Karl Struss Papers
This collection, accumulated by gallery owner Stephen White, includes correspondence, exhibition catalogues, clippings, business records and technical materials, and items that incorporate Struss’s work. The collection dates from 1900 to 1988 with the bulk from 1910 to 1930.
