E. E. Rutter Photograph Collection
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Abstract
Edgar E. Rutter served as the official photographer for the borough of Brooklyn in the early 20th century. The photographs in this collection are almost exclusively from his work in that capacity, although some photographs are from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle archives.
Biographical Note
Edgar E. Rutter – who went by E.E. Rutter, or just Rutter, professionally – was born in Maryland in 1883. Census records variously set his birthdate at 1880, 1881, and 1884, but the 1883 birth date was found on his World War II Draft Registration card, and is verified by a Social Security Death Index record. He had a photography studio at number 8, 4th Avenue (among other locations) and was the official photographer for the Borough of Brooklyn in the early part of the 20th century. In the 1920 census he was living on State Street with his wife, Ellen; he is listed as a "Photographer" with his place of work a "Photo Studio."
Little is known about Rutter beyond those basic details. In his capacity as borough photographer, he traveled all over Brooklyn to document street parades, public building opening ceremonies, and road and subway construction. Census records indicate that he lived in Brooklyn as late as 1940. E.E. Rutter passed away in New Jersey in July 1964.
Arrangement
The photography files are arranged in two series. Series I consists of loose images that were acquired by the library in several batches in no apparent order. These are arranged by subject. Series II consists of 100 photographs from April 4–23, 1924 that were bound in a single volume for the borough president: President, Borough of Brooklyn Photographs 5001 – 5100, vol. 51. Their original order (chronological) has been preserved.
Call numbers are listed for all photographs when applicable. These numbers refer to the number assigned to each image in our Digital Collections portal.
Scope and Contents
The 582 photographs in this collection were largely taken in Rutter's official capacity as borough photographer. Some images date as late as 1954, but the bulk of the collection is from 1919–1924. The photographs document functions of government and civic life such as ribbon-cutting ceremonies, street parades, and road and subway construction projects. Notable subject areas within the collection include the Coney Island boardwalk, the Pigtown neighborhood, sewer construction, and photographs of then-borough president Edward Riegelmann. Most of the prints in the collection are original; however, several of the Coney Island photographs are reprints from digital scans of originals.
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Conditions Governing Access
Open to researchers without restriction.
Conditions Governing Use
While many items at the Center for Brooklyn History are unrestricted, we do not own reproduction rights to all materials. Be aware of the several kinds of rights that might apply: copyright, licensing and trademarks. The borrower assumes all responsibility for copyright questions.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item/descriptive title, date (if known); E.E. Rutter Photograph Collection, BCMS.0004; Brooklyn Public Library, Center for Brooklyn History.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased in several batches, although some images came from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle archives.
