This collection includes a sample of early 20th century photographic images taken by members of the Grand Rapids Photo Club, and made available here through the original glass plate negatives. The specific date and identification of the individual photographer is unknown, and most images are unidentified. Most of the views are of scenes, though they sometimes included individuals, unidentified. Several of the images show landscapes or waterways. Several include buildings.

The Club papers accompanying the images document the annual exhibit or salon for 1899-1940. Some of these exhibit catalogs include names of club members, as well as advertising. Only three of the annual program booklets are included in the collection, 1922/23, 1939/40, and 1940/41. A few additional exhibit catalogs include Grand Rapids members participating in national exhibits or competitions.

All positive prints of the images are in black and white. Some of the prints show evidence that the glass negative is damaged. Several images (contact prints) do not provide clear definition of the objects captured in the images.