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Guide to the Julian Bagley Collection
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Title: Julian Bagley collection
Dates: 1925-1981
Bulk Dates: 1951-1981
Collector:
Gerrits, Elwood Burton
Creator:
Bagley, Julian, 1892-1981
Collection Size:
.1 linear foot
(1 box)
Repository:
African American Museum and Library at Oakland (Oakland, Calif.)
Oakland, CA 94612
Abstract: Julian Elihu Bagley was born in South Jacksonville, Florida in 1892. He earned a degree in agriculture from the Hampton Institute
and served in the Army during World War I. He moved to San Francisco in 1922 to open a waterfront hotel, and he became well-known
as the concierge of the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House. He served as the opera house’s official greeter for 39 years
beginning on its opening night on October 15, 1932. Bagley was also the author of a book of animal folktales,
Candle-lighting time in Bodidalee, a collection of African folktales set in his native Florida. The collection includes five photographs, nine pieces of correspondence,
newspaper clippings, and programs from the author’s memorial service.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.
Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.
Permission to publish from the Julian Bagley Collection must be obtained from the African American Museum and Library at Oakland.
Julian Bagley collection, MS 09, African American Museum and Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.
Collection was donated by Elwood Burton Gerrits to the African American Museum and Library at Oakland in March 2004.
Biography / Administrative History
Julian Elihu Bagley was born in South Jacksonville, Florida in 1892. He earned a degree in agriculture from the Hampton Institute
and served in the Army during World War I. He moved to San Francisco in 1922 to open a waterfront hotel, and he became well-known
as the concierge of the San Francisco War Memorial Opera House. He served as the opera house’s official greeter for 39 years
beginning on its opening night on October 15, 1932. Bagley was also the author of a book of animal folktales,
Candle-Lighting Time in Bodidalee, a collection of African folktales set in his native Florida.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Julian Bagley Collection includes five photographs, nine pieces of correspondence, newspaper clippings, and programs from
the author’s memorial service. The collection is organized into four series: photographs, correspondence, newspaper clippings,
and assorted printed materials. All of the correspondence is written to Elwood Burton Gerrits who assembled and donated the
collection to the African American Museum and Library at Oakland.
Series I. Photographs
Series II. Correspondence
Series III. Newspaper clippings
Series IV. Assorted printed materials
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Bagley, Julian, 1892-1981