Ann Bannon Papers

Finding aid created by James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center staff using RecordEXPRESS
San Francisco Public Library. James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center
San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, California 94102
(415) 557-4567
info@sfpl.org
http://sfpl.org/gaylesbian
2016


Descriptive Summary

Title: Ann Bannon Papers
Dates: 1956-2010
Collection Number: GLC 113
Creator/Collector: Bannon, Ann.
Extent: 2.5 cubic feet (in 3 boxes) + 1 oversized box
Repository: San Francisco Public Library. James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center
San Francisco, California 94102
Abstract: Ann Bannon wrote the Beebo Brinker novels, a series of influential lesbian pulp paperbacks, which were published in the 1950s and early 1960s. The papers contain original manuscripts, correspondence and financial records, interviews, essays, reviews, photographs, and audiovisual materials.
Language of Material: English

Access

The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk hours.

Publication Rights

Copyright and literary rights retained by donor.

Preferred Citation

Ann Bannon Papers. San Francisco Public Library. James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center

Acquisition Information

Donated by Ann Weldy, August 5, 2010.

Biography/Administrative History

Ann Bannon wrote the Beebo Brinker novels, a series of five influential lesbian pulp paperbacks, which were published by Gold Medal Books between 1957-1962. The books tell the stories of young lesbians in pre-Stonewall Greenwich Village. "Odd Girl Out," Bannon's first novel, was the second best selling original paperback of 1957. Following the publication of her novels, Bannon returned to college. She earned a master's degree and later a Ph.D. in linguistics from Stanford. She has worked as a professor and later associate dean at California University, Sacramento. Ann Bannon is the pseudonym of Ann Weldy (also known as Ann Holmquist).

Scope and Content of Collection

The collection is roughly grouped into five series: Manuscripts; Books; Subject Files (correspondence, reviews, interviews, publicity, writings and theatrical productions based on Beebo Brinker); Photographs; and, Audio-Visual Materials. The papers contain the final typescripts for: "Odd Girl Out;" "I Am A Woman;" "Women in the Shadows;" "Journey To a Woman;" "The Marriage;" and, "Beebo Brinker." It also includes contracts and correspondence with Fawcett Publications and Naiad Press, and their royalty and financial statements. Published material includes more recently issued copies of her books including some Dutch translations, and "Twilight Tales," a Ph.D. dissertation by Melissa Sky. The collection contains personal correspondence with Barbara Grier, many published and recorded interviews with Bannon, essays, reviews, photographs, and audiovisual materials.

Indexing Terms

Lesbians—Fiction.
Lesbians--Identity--Fiction.
Bannon, Ann--Archives.
Bannon, Ann--Interviews.
Lesbian love stories.
Queer pulps.

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