Special Collection #0004:
The Harry R. Eberlin Photographs
ca. 1972-ca. 1980, 1/8 linear inch

The Harry R. Eberlin Photographs include approximately 100 images of lesbian and gay public events in Philadelphia during the 1970s and early 1980s.  Most of the images are contact-print sheets made from 35mm black and white negatives, although there are some enlargements.  The images focus largely on events sponsored by the Gay Community Center of Philadelphia and on public pickets, parades and parties. Some photographs of the Gay Switchboard of Philadelphia are included.

Exact dates and subjects are difficult to determine as the photographer did not keep written records.  Identifiable subjects include: Tommi Avicolli (later known as Tommi Avicolli Mecca), Rita Mae Brown, Franklin Kameny, Kiyoshi Kuromiya, Walter Lear, Marcie Muldaur, Tom Malim, John "Sagittarius" Powell and Steve Wigod.

Harry Eberlin donated these prints to the Library/Archives in 1995.  More than 100 additional images by Eberlin can be found on 35mm slides that he donated to the Gay/Lesbian Archives in 1984.  They can now be found in Special Collection #0011: The Tommi Avicolli Mecca Slide Show and Audio Tapes.  Still more of Eberlin's photos are in Special Collection #0009: The Gay Alternative / Jeffrey Escoffier Papers.

PHOTO:  Philadelphia Gay Pride Parade, probably 1976.  The man at center in the hat is local activist John "Sagittarius" Powell.  © Harry R. Eberlin, used by permission.