Includes photographic works by Haffer organized into a series of titled bound volumes. Each volume includes typewritten descriptive notes. Also included are additional photographs not included in the volumes, newspaper clippings, and correspondence.
ca. 1928. "Robert" - portrait photo of young child, circa 1928, wearing a polka-dotted jersey with a large collar shirt. In 1930 Haffer received her first national exposure when this photograph of "Robert" was reproduced by the American Annual of Photography. (A Turbulent Lens: The Photographic Art of Virna Haffer, p. 106)
ca. 1935. "Untitled" (Newell Griffith) - portrait of person's (Newell Griffith) head split with mirror, circa 1935. (A Turbulent Lens: The Photographic Art of Virna Haffer, p. 74)
ca. 1935. "'Hard Rock' Randall" - portrait of unsmiling, stubble-faced individual, circa 1935. This is believed to be Virna Haffer's third husband, Norman Randall. He would be extensively photographed by Haffer in the 1930s and '40s. This portrait of Randall would win first prize in a San Francisco competition sponsored by Camera Craft magazine in 1936. (A Turbulent Lens: The Photographic Art of Virna Haffer, p. 60-61)
"Dude Cowboy, Pecos, New Mexico" - lower half of squatting cowboy - undated portrait. Man has studded boots, colorful long sleeved shirt and is holding a cigarette in one hand.
ca. 1928. "Man in Derby" - portrait of person (Ralph Rosenberg) in derby hat and dark suit holding a lit cigarette, circa 1928. Haffer would use this photograph as a basis for a print, made from wood or linoleum blocks in 1929. (A Turbulent Lens: The Photographic Art of Virna Haffer, p. 95)
ca. 1933. "Onya la Tour" - portrait of person gazing upward. Dangling hoop earrings are in contrast with long dark hair. According to the book "A Turbulent Lens: The Photographic Art of Virna Haffer," title of a bas relief print which featured the same person was "Onya Latoor." It was possibly photographed in California. (A Turbulent Lens: The Photographic Art of Virna Haffer, p. 80)
ca. 1930. "Study -Kay Harshberger" - portrait of person with head distorted, circa 1930. According to "A Turbulent Lens: The Photographic Art of Virna Haffer," this work was also titled Caricature. The distorted image was created in the darkroom by rotating the horizontal printing frame slightly on its vertical axis. (A Turbulent Lens: The Photographic Art of Virna Haffer, p.19)
ca. 1930. "Isabel Morrison, Dancing Teacher" - circa 1930 portrait of person in kimono standing against a vertically striped wall with Chinese or Japanese characters written on it. According to the book "A Turbulent Lens: The Photographic Art of Virna haffer," Isabel Keith Morrison was a dancer and taught dance in Tacoma during the 1920s. She later moved to Los Angeles where she continued teaching and dancing in regional productions. (A Turbulent Lens: The Photographic Art of Virna haffer, p. 110; p. 20)
"Elizabeth Sale" - portrait of person with drawn castle in background, only head and hands are visible. Elizabeth ("Bettie") Sale was a poet who collaborated with Virna Haffer to produce a book incorporating her poetry along with photographic illlustrations by Haffer. "Abundant Wild Oats" was never published although a prototype was made. (A Turbulent Lens: The Photographic Art of Virna Haffer, p. 116-information on Bettie Sale and "Abundant Wild Oats.")
"The Unknown" - photogram. Probably created during the 1960s when Virna Haffer transitioned to camera-less photographic processes, particularly photograms. (Virna Haffer Collection)
"Norman" - undated portrait of Norman Randall, with well lit face floating in black cowl. Norman Randall, Virna Haffer's third husband, was an engineer and artist. Haffer never remarried after his death in 1950. (A Turbulent Lens: The Photographic Art of Virna Haffer, p. 61- information on Mr. Randall)
ca. 1960. This self portrait of photographer Virna Haffer was made circa 1960. Apparently she had greased her face with vasoline and then patted her face with paper. Her profile emerges from a black background with eyes seemingly shut tightly. (Virna Haffer Collection) (Bullock: A Turbulent Lens, p. 40)