This collection consists of approximately 95,000 glass, nitrate, and safety negatives (5 x 7, 8 x 10, and panorama) produced by Erik Overbey and the Overbey Studio between 1903 and 1963, or by the William A. Reed Studio from the 1880s until it closed in 1911. The collection also includes glass plate, nitrate, and safety negative portraits of Mobilians and scenes of Mobile and surrounding areas. The principal subject areas in the non-portrait work are: buildings and businesses, waterfront, ships, street scenes, recreation, religion, education, Mardi Gras, houses, transportation, and construction. Portraits are filed alphabetically but only printed upon request. Most of the non-portrait nitrate and glass plate negatives, and a smaller portion of the safety negatives have been printed and are grouped by subject. The collection also includes many original prints and six small record books kept by Erik Overbey.