Description
This collection mainly comprises Robert Manners' correspondence, newspaper clippings, catalogs, bibliographies, administrative
records, and other material, 1953-2010. Manners was the owner and operator of the home-based gay and lesbian mail order catalog
Books Bohemian (Pasadena, California) from 1977 to 2004.
Background
Robert J. Manners owned and operated Books Bohemian, a home-based mail order book catalog, for 27 years (1977-2004). During
his tenure as a book distributor, he corresponded with a number of incarcerated gay men who wrote him requesting gay literature.
Manners provided books free of charge to gay inmates, many of whom kept in contact for several years through letters. Manners
also corresponded with a number of gay and lesbian writers and collected their bibliographies, book reviews, and biographies.
Manners is also an activist for LGBTQ rights and interests.
Extent
5.3 Linear Feet
4 boxes, 1 carton, and 1 shoebox
Restrictions
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the ONE Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives at USC Libraries as the owner of the physical
items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Availability
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.