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1941–1943 Polytechnic High School Yearbooks
Complete Three-Year Student Collection
San Francisco, California
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A Complete Student Archive from World War II-Era San Francisco
Offered here is a remarkable collection of three original Polytechnic High School yearbooks from San Francisco, California, covering the years 1941, 1942, and 1943.
Unlike individual yearbooks that occasionally appear on the market, these three volumes have remained together for more than eighty years as the personal school collection of one student, preserving an uninterrupted record of his entire high school experience during one of the most significant periods in American history.
This is far more than three vintage yearbooks—it is a surviving personal archive from the World War II era.
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Included in this Collection
✔ Original 1941 Polytechnic High School Yearbook
✔ Original 1942 Polytechnic High School Yearbook
✔ Original 1943 Polytechnic High School Yearbook
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The Original Owner
Research identifies the original owner as Walter Ernst Hausser (1927–2011).
Walter attended Polytechnic High School in San Francisco, where he participated in track and field athletics before serving as a U.S. Army Paratrooper during World War II. Following military service, he earned a Business degree from the University of California, Berkeley, later operating a successful family business in California for many decades.
His name appears throughout the books, providing strong historical provenance for this three-volume collection.
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About Polytechnic High School
Polytechnic High School was one of San Francisco’s historic public high schools.
Originally established in the late nineteenth century, the school became known for combining traditional academic education with technical training, athletics, commercial studies and the arts.
Following the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire, a new campus opened in 1914 near Kezar Stadium.
For decades Polytechnic educated thousands of students and became one of San Francisco’s best-known secondary schools before closing in 1972.
Although the school itself no longer exists, its legacy remains an important part of San Francisco educational history.
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World War II Historical Context
These yearbooks span one of the most dramatic transitions in twentieth-century America.
The 1941 edition represents student life immediately before the United States entered World War II.
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the 1942 and 1943 volumes reflect a nation fully engaged in wartime production and military service.
Many Polytechnic graduates entered the armed forces while classmates experienced rationing, civil defense activities and the uncertainty of wartime America.
These books preserve an authentic snapshot of ordinary student life during extraordinary historical events.
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Beautiful Original Hardcover Editions
Each volume features an attractive embossed hardcover binding with raised decorative artwork typical of high-quality American yearbooks of the early 1940s.
Inside are hundreds of professionally printed black-and-white photographs documenting:
• Student portraits
• Faculty
• Athletic teams
• Clubs and organizations
• Campus life
• School traditions
• Senior class activities
• Contemporary local advertisements
The craftsmanship and graphic design make these books equally appealing as historical documents and display pieces.
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Handwritten Inscriptions
One of the highlights of this collection is the large number of original handwritten inscriptions.
Friends, classmates and fellow students filled the books with signatures, personal messages, memories and well wishes across three consecutive school years.
These handwritten entries transform the collection from printed books into a genuine social history archive.
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Historical & Genealogical Value
This collection offers outstanding research opportunities for:
• Genealogists
• San Francisco historians
• California collectors
• World War II researchers
• Educational historians
• Local history enthusiasts
Hundreds of names, photographs and handwritten messages remain preserved within these volumes, providing valuable primary-source material from wartime San Francisco.
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Physical Specifications
School: Polytechnic High School
Location: San Francisco, California
Years: 1941 • 1942 • 1943
Format: Original Hardcover Yearbooks
Binding: Embossed decorative hardcovers
Language: English
Original Owner: Walter Ernst Hausser
Handwritten Inscriptions: Yes
Approximate Combined Weight:
2,016 grams (2.02 kg / 4 lb 7 oz)
Printed in the United States
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Condition
These are original yearbooks now more than 80 years old.
They remain in very good vintage condition with normal age-related wear consistent with careful ownership and long-term preservation.
Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description and accurately represent the condition of the books.
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Why This Collection Is Special
While individual school yearbooks occasionally survive, finding three consecutive original volumes that remained together with their original owner for more than eight decades is increasingly uncommon.
Together they document one student’s complete journey through high school during the years surrounding America’s entry into World War II.
The combination of historical context, original ownership, extensive handwritten inscriptions and attractive embossed hardcover bindings makes this an exceptional collection for both collectors and historians.
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Please Note
This listing is for the three original yearbooks shown.
Historical information regarding the original owner and the school has been researched from publicly available sources and is provided to preserve the provenance and historical context of the collection.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or if additional photographs are desired.
This research summary has been independently compiled from publicly available historical records and is provided solely as supplementary reference material.
