Finding aid to the Collection on Sylvester
GLC 101
Finding aid prepared by Tim Wilson
James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library
2019
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
info@sfpl.org
Title: Collection on Sylvester
Date (inclusive): 1979-1998, undated
Identifier/Call Number: GLC 101
Physical Description:
3 folders
(2 legal folders, 1 oversized folder)
Contributing Institution:
James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
info@sfpl.org
Abstract: Sylvester James, Jr. (September 6, 1947–December 16, 1988), better known as Sylvester, was an American disco and soul singer-songwriter.
He was known for his flamboyant and androgynous appearance. The collection contains photographs of Sylvester taken at a performance
at the War Memorial Opera House (San Francisco), March 11, 1979; at an Atlanta AIDS Benefit, January 31, 1983; at his birthday
party, September 10, 1983; and four portraits that were probably used for publicity purposes. In addition, there is a press
kit for a documentary on his life, and proclamations from San Francisco mayors Dianne Feinstein and Art Agnos regarding celebrations
in his honor.
Physical Location: The collection is stored onsite.
Language of Material: Collection materials are in
English.
Access
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk
hours.
Publication Rights
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the City Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the San Francisco Public Library as the owner of the physical items. Copyright retained
by photographers.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Collection on Sylvester (GLC 101), LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library.
Provenance
Photographs 1-6 were donated by Monica Wynn, February 2005. Photographs 7 and 8 were found in ephemera files with no provenance
information. The proclamations were donated by Barbara Smookler, May 2011. The provenance of the press kit is unknown.
Biographical Note
Sylvester James, Jr. (September 6, 1947-December 16, 1988), better known as Sylvester, was an American disco and soul singer-songwriter.
He lived in San Francisco and performed with the Cockettes in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was known for his flamboyant
and androgynous appearance. He died of AIDS on December 16, 1988.
Scope and Content
The collection contains photographs of Sylvester taken at a performance at the War Memorial Opera House (San Francisco), March
11, 1979; at an Atlanta AIDS Benefit, January 31, 1983; at his birthday party, September 10, 1983; and four portraits that
were probably used for promotional purposes. In addition, there is a press kit for the documentary
Do You Wanna Funk: the Life and Times of Sylvester
, and proclamations from San Francisco mayors Dianne Feinstein and Art Agnos regarding celebrations to honor of Sylvester.
Arrangement
Arranged by format: Photographs, Subject File, and Certificates. Arranged in chronological order within each folder.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Sylvester
Sylvester -- Pictorial works
Photographs
1979-1983, undated
Physical Description:
1 folder
Access
The photographs are available during Photo Desk hours: Tuesdays 1-5 p.m., Thursday 1-5 p.m., and Saturdays 10-12, 1-5.
folder 1, photograph 1
Sylvester at Opera House. Photographer unknown (black and white)
March 11, 1979
folder 1, photograph 2
Signed "To Tim, A Very Strange and Wonderful Queen! Sometimes Butch and Sometimes Not. But I love you anyway. Kisses, Sylvester
79." Photographer unknown (color)
printed April 1979
folder 1, photograph 3
Atlanta, Georgia AIDS Benefit: Tim McKenna, Carol Douglas, Sylvester, Frank Loverde, Angela Clemmons. Rick Diamond Photography
(black and white)
January 31, 1983
folder 1, photograph 4
Sylvester's Birthday Party, Prism, San Francisco: Paul Parker, Ken, Tim McKenna, Sylvester, Izora Rhodes, Marty Blecman, Chris
Desson, Jeanie Tracy, Frank Loverde, Tip Wirrick, unidentified. Photographer unknown (black and white)
September 10, 1983
folder 1, photograph 5
Sylvester's Birthday 1983: Sylvester, Tim McKenna. Mick Hicks Photographer (black and white)
1983
folder 1, photograph 6
Sylvester portrait. Photographer: Phil Bray (black and white)
undated
[Sylvester]: [198-]
folder 1, photograph 7
Sylvester publicity headshot. Photographer unknown (black and white)
undated
Scope and Contents
Fantasy. Management: Nancy C. Pitts. Bookings: ICM.
folder 1, photograph 8
Sylvester publicity photo. Photographer unknown (black and white)
1980
Scope and Contents
Fantasy Honey Records. Booking: William Morris Agency.
folder 2
Press kit for
Do You Wanna Funk: The Life and Times of Sylvester
, a music documentary by Tim Smyth
1998
Proclamations
1987, 1989
Physical Description:
1 folder
(2 oversized items)
oversize-folder 1
Dianne Feinstein, Mayor, City and County of San Francisco to Sylvester regarding his 40th birthday celebration
September 4, 1987
oversize-folder 1
Art Agnos, Mayor, City and County of San Francisco proclamation regarding Sylvester's Remembrance Day in San Francisco
February 18, 1989
