Monterey history photo collection

California Views:
The Pat Hathaway Photo Collection

Pat Hathaway, Photo Archivist

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Edward F. Ricketts, he is not "Doc"

Ed Ricketts
Ed Ricketts in his Laborator
with specimens bottles in background

Photo by Bryant Fitch
circa 1936
4x5" copy negative
Copyright©1998 California Views
Photo accession # 81-021-0078

Pacific Biological Laboratories catalog 1929-1930
Pacific Biological Laboratories catalog
Pacific Biological Laboratories logo
Early PBL Logo
Pacific Biological Laboratories logo
Later PBL Logo
Edward Flanders Robb Ricketts (May 14, 1897 - May 11, 1948) was a marine naturalist, biologist, ecologist, philosopher, and friend of John Steinbeck for almost twenty years.
He was also owner of Pacific Biological Laboratories, a biological supply business first in Pacific Grove at 165 Fountain Avenue, from 1923 to 1928.
Then he moved to 740 Ocean View Avenue which was later renumbered to 800 Cannery Row from 1928 to 1948.
In 1939, Ricketts and Jack Calvin published Between Pacific Tides and it is still in print today more than 60 years later.
He may be best known as the inspiration for the character "Doc" in John Steinbeck's Cannery Row and Sweet Thursday, You can find the persona of Ed Ricketts in a number of Steinbeck's books. Friend Ed in Burning Bright and Doc Burton In Dubious Battle. Ricketts first appears as Dr. Phillips in The Snake, first published in the Monterey Beacon on June 22nd, 1935.

Holdings: We have over 85 photos of Edward Ricketts by his son Ed Jr. and other photographers , as well as views of the original Pacific Biological Laboratories and the fire that destroyed it on Nov. 25 of 1936.
We also have photos of the purse seiner Western Flyer that Steinbeck and Ricketts went too the Sea of Cortez on in 1940. We also have photos of the new wooden building built in 1937 that still stands today at 800 Cannery Row, almost next to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Other photos of Ed Ricketts, Cannery Row & Pacific Grove.

Cannery Row History wall photo display of over 20 24x36, 30x40 and 40x60 historical prints of Cannery Row.
In the American Tin Cannery at 125 Ocean View Boulevard, Pacific Grove

Please click to see over 90 galleries with over 3,000 photos
Prints are available in Black & White or Sepia
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This page was last updated on May 1, 2008
Copyright©1996-2008 California Views historical photo collection
To obtain permission to use any photographs please contact Pat Hathaway
Dedicated to the preservation of our photographic heritage

Mr. Pat Hathaway, Photo Archivist
California Views photo archives
469 Pacific Street
Monterey, California 93940-2702 		Phone (831) 373-3811
Hours 11 A.M.- 5:30 P.M. Pacific time
Closed Sunday & Monday
http://caviews.com