Bill Muster collection Bernath Mss 240

Preliminary arrangement and description by D. Tambo, 2012. Revised by Zachary Liebhaber, 2022.
UC Santa Barbara Library, Department of Special Research Collections
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara 93106-9010
special@library.ucsb.edu
2012; 2022


Title: Bill Muster collection
Identifier/Call Number: Bernath Mss 240
Language of Material: English.
Contributing Institution: UC Santa Barbara Library, Department of Special Research Collections
Physical Description: 7 Linear Feet (6 cartons, 1 flat oversize box, 11 audiotapes, and 8 motion picture films)
Date (inclusive): approximately 1919-1988
Date (bulk): 1940-1988
Abstract: The collection primarily contains photographs and slides taken by William N. (Bill) Muster, from the time he was in Germany after WWII, in various parts of the U.S. (mainly the LA area), and trips around the world, often as part of the Society of American Travel Writers groups.

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

Property rights to the collection and physical objects belong to the Regents of the University of California acting through the Department of Special Research Collections at the UCSB Library. All applicable literary rights, including copyright to the collection and physical objects, are protected under Chapter 17 of the U.S. Copyright Code and are retained by the creator and the copyright owner, heir(s), or assigns.
All requests to reproduce, quote from, or otherwise reuse collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Department of Special Research Collections at UCSB at special@ucsb.edu. Consent is given on behalf of the Regents of the University of California acting through the Department of Special Research Collections at UCSB as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner, heir(s), or assigns. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or their assigns for permission to publish where the UC Regents do not hold the copyright.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of Item], Bill Muster collection, Bernath Mss 240. Department of Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Acquisition Information

Multiple gifts from Nori Muster, daughter of Bill Muster, 2005-2006.

Scope and Content

The collection primarily contains photographs and slides taken by William N. (Bill) Muster, from the time he was in Germany after WWII, in various parts of the U.S. (mainly the LA area), and trips around the world, often as part of the Society of American Travel Writers groups. Also included are materials relating to the Muster family, his business career (including time as an executive with the Muzak company), and interests such as the Delta Queen (an American sternwheel steamboat designated a National Historical Landmark).
Abbreviations: BM = Bill Muster = William N. Muster, SATW = Society of American Travel Writers.

Related Materials

In UCSB Library Special Research Collections: The Nori Muster Betrayal of the Spirit collection (ARC Mss 28).
In other repositories: The Story of the Delta Queen Steamboat: A Legislative and Corporate History from the files of Bill Muster, papers held by the Cincinnati Historical Society. An index of the collection is online.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Travel photography
Amsterdam (Netherlands) -- Pictorial works
Ansbach (Mittelfranken, Germany)
Athens (Greece) -- Pictorial works
Australia -- Pictorial works
Austria -- Pictorial works
Budapest (Hungary) -- Pictorial works
California -- Pictorial works
Canada -- Pictorial works
England -- Pictorial works
Egypt -- Pictorial works
Germany -- Pictorial works
Grand Canyon (Ariz.) -- Pictorial works
Hawaii -- Pictorial works
India -- Pictorial works
Israel -- Pictorial works
Japan -- Pictorial works
Kenya -- Pictorial works
Liechtenstein -- Pictorial works
Los Angeles (Calif.) -- Pictorial works
Mexico -- Pictorial works
Minnesota -- Pictorial works
New Guinea -- Pictorial works
New York (State) -- Pictorial works
New Zealand -- Pictorial works
Paris (France) -- Pictorial works
Portugal -- Pictorial works
Puerto Rico -- Pictorial works
Salt Lake City (Utah) -- Pictorial works
Spain -- Pictorial works
Switzerland -- Pictorial works
Turkey -- Pictorial works
Yugoslavia -- Pictorial works
Photographs
Slides (photographs)
Muster, Bill
Muster, Nori J. (Nori Jean), 1956-
Delta Queen (Steamboat)

 

Bio/Personal

box 1

Air Force [Ansbach, Germany] and University of Illinois Tear Sheets (mainly clippings with photos by BM) circa 1946-1950

box 1

Chicago Fair Tear Sheets (mainly clippings with photos by BM) circa 1949-1950

box 1

Eichler Home File

box 1

Muster, Bill - article about BM 1977

box 1

Traveler's Almanac - copies of vols. published by BM, pr, reviews, and other related files circa mid-latter 1970s

box 1

UPI Tear Sheets (mainly clippings of UPI stories with photos by BM) circa 1948-1952

box 6

University of Illinois [went on G.I. Bill] Yearbook 1950

General note

BM was Associate Editor, Photography, for Illio (the yearbook), see pp. 297, 392, 451, 461
 

Photographs - Black/White

box 1

Portfolio - per Nori: prob. put together by BM for freelance jobs during college circa 1950

 

Prints

box 1

Africa - Kenya

box 1

Australia SATW 1987

box 1

Balasco, Bodini - also incl. color prints

box 1

Commercial Photos by BM

box 1

El Cid 1960s

box 1

Germany 1940s

General note

incl. photo lab and office, views of Ansbach, where BM was stationed, and portrait drawing of BM
box 1

Harold Lloyd Estate 1971

box 1

Hartford, John - musician

box 1

London

box 1

Los Angeles

box 1

Magic Mountain - roller coaster

box 1

Mexico

box 1

Minneapolis home 1950s

box 1

Muster, Bill - India, SATW 1978

box 1

Muster, Bill and Paula - incl. 1950 wedding

box 1

Muster First Apartment

box 1

Muster, Nori - Smothers Brothers Show 11/17/1967

box 2

Muzak

box 2

Satarupa

box 2

World Traveler's Almanac 1970s

box 2

Miscellany and Unidentified

box 2

Negatives - incl. 35mm, 2 1/4 x 2 1/4, 4x5, and 8x10

box 2

Allair, Jackie (4x5)

box 2

Commercial photos (4x5) 1940s-1960s

box 2

Donny - also incl. b/w contact prints (4x5)

box 2

El Cid - flamenco club (35mm)

box 2

Franchel, Emile (4x5)

box 2

Germany circa 1945-1946

General note

incl. three Nuremberg Trial photos; also BM office, photo lab, darkroom, and equipment; mess hall and exterior of other buildings flying U.S. flag, airfield, probably all of Ansbach U.S. military base, where BM was stationed; and other buildings, probably of the community of Ansbach [in Bavaria] (8x10)
box 2

Germany? (2 1/4 x 3 1/2 and smaller)

box 2

Germany and Austria (4x5)

box 2

Glendale Theater Group - Jeri Moffat (4x5)

box 2

Grace Street Swim Pool (4x5)

box 2

Inwood House (2 1/4 x 2 1/4)

box 2

L.A. Hi Fi Show (2 1/4 x 2 1/4)

box 2

Longbow House - Sherman Oaks, CA (2 1/4 x 2 1/4)

box 2

Minneapolis home (4x5)

box 2

Music Land (4x5)

box 2

Muster Family (4x5) 1950s-1960s

box 2

Muster, Bill (4x5)

box 2

Muster, Bill and Paula (4x5) circa 1957-1958

box 2

Muster, Nori (4x5) circa 1957-1958

box 2

Muster, Paula - Paula's favorites (4x5)

box 2

New York City / Boston vacation (35mm) 1967

box 2

New York World's Fair (2 1/4 x 2 1/4) 1939-1940

box 2

Record Copy - incl. images of BM records from high school, etc. (4x5)

box 2

Rufus J. Flywheel (4x5)

box 2

SATW India Trip (35mm) 1978

box 2

Skylark House - BM's house above Sunset Strip in LA [incl. color transparencies of Dixieland party in 1988] (35mm)

box 2

Sunnyvale House (2 1/4 x 2 1/4) 1959-1961

box 2

Traveler's Almanac - cover (4x5) 1970s

box 2

Wedding (4x5) 2/6/1950

box 2

Xmas Card (4x5) 1952

box 2

Xmas Card (4x5) 1955

box 2

Miscellany - Sydney, Canada, and other (4x5)

box 2

Unidentified (4x5)

 

Photographs - Color

 

Prints

box 2

Air Force Rockets - Vandenberg AFB, CA 1978

box 2

India - Cal. Communications, Inc. (CCI) - BM's company

 

Muster, Nori

box 2

Graduation - UCSB 1978

box 2

Initiation, Los Angeles 1979

box 2

Skylark House

box 2

Unidentified

 

Negatives - incl. 35mm, 2x2

box 2

Satarupa, Ann - incl. a few related color prints and b/w negatives

box 2

Yosemite (incl. a few b/w negatives) circa May 1973

box 2

Unidentified

 

Transparencies - incl. 35mm, 2 1/4 x 2 1/4, 4x5

box 2

Beach Shots

box 2

Hare Krishna (ISKCON)

box 2

Harold Lloyd Estate? 1971

box 2

Mexico?

box 2

Monterey

box 2

Muster, Paula

box 2

Sinatra, Frank

box 2

Venice Beach

box 2

Unidentified

box 6

Miscellany [formerly boxed together] - incl. CCI, Harold Lloyd Estate, travel

 

Slides - Color

box 3

Slide album [disbound] - India - SATW convention [includes many images of men, women, and children, temples and other buildings, local scenes [no captions] circa Sept/Oct. 1978

 

Slides - sleeved

box 3

- Portugal Apr. 1965

box 3

- Athens June 1965

box 3

- Paris June 1965

box 3

- Lake of the Woods (MN) July 1965

box 3

- Puerto Rico May 1966

box 3

- Santa Barbara, CA July 1966

box 3

- Lake Arrowhead, CA May 1967

box 3

- Misc. Family May-Aug. 1967

box 3

- Zoo Visit June 1967

box 3

- San Francisco Trip with R&R July 1967

box 3

- Flamenco Dancers Aug. 1967

box 3

- Delta Queen and Expo Aug-Sept. 1967

box 3

- Mexico Trip Dec. 1967-Jan. 1968

box 3

- Mexico: Bullfighters and Dancers May 1968

box 3

- Misc. Family 1968

box 3

- Japan trip Sept. 1969

box 3

- Santa Barbara / San Luis Obispo May 1975

box 3

- Santa Barbara Mission July 1975

box 3

- J. Paul Getty Villa Mar. 1976

box 3

- Los Angeles Mar. 1976

box 3

- Santa Barbara / San Luis Obispo Apr. 1976

box 3

- Sierras Apr. 1976

box 3

- Los Angeles Apr. 1976

box 3

- Los Angeles May 1976

box 3

- Los Angeles Aug. 1976

box 3

- Los Angeles Sept. 1976

box 3

- Mexico: Yucatan - Chichen Itza and Palenque Oct. 1976

box 3

- Los Angeles Oct. 1976

box 3

- Los Angeles Nov. 1976

box 3

- Santa Barbara Nov. 1976

box 3

- Delta Queen [1976?]

box 3

- New Orleans Feb. 1977

box 3

- Mammoth Ski Mar. 1977

box 3

- Los Angeles Mar. 1977

box 3

- Swap Meet Mar. 1977

box 3

- Africa Trip: Animals, People, Kenya (Bomas, Lamu, Malindi) Apr. 1977

box 3

- England Apr. 1977

box 3

- Grand Canyon Apr. 1977

box 3

- Ski Mt. Waterman May 1977

box 3

- San Luis Obispo: Ah Luis Store June 1977

box 4

- Santa Barbara June 1977

box 4

- Sequoia National Park June 1977

box 4

- [Los Angeles area?] July 1977

box 4

- Egypt Oct. 1977

box 4

- Los Angeles Nov. 1977

box 4

- Niagara Falls Nov. 1977

box 4

- Los Angeles Dec. 1977

box 4

- Baja Apr. 1978

box 4

- Sierra Club: Mt. Janacinto June 1978

box 4

- Nori Graduation [June ? 18] 1978

box 4

- [India?] Sept 1978

box 4

- Santa Barbara / San Luis Obispo Aug. 1979

box 4

- Santa Barbara Sept. 1979

box 4

- Hawaii: Big Island Views, Conversion, Holo Holo Campers, Kona Village, West, Final Banquet and Kona Surf Oct. 1979

box 4

- Hare Krishna Rafiata (Venice Beach) 1979

box 4

- Salt Lake City, Alta Ski Area 1979

box 4

- Los Angeles Apr. 1980

box 4

- Los Angeles Jan-Feb. 1981

box 4

- Mexico: Acapulco, Las Brisas, Puerta Vallarta, Zihuantejo, [poss. 1981: Ixtapa] Apr. 1981

box 4

- Hawaii: Sitmar [cruise line] - People Apr. 1981

box 4

- Hawaii: Flowers, Honolulu, Kailua, Waikiki, Windward Side July 1981

box 4

- Ansel Adams Aug. 1981

box 4

- Mexico: Ixtapa Aug-Sept. 1982

box 4

- Japan 1982

box 4

- Israel: Dancers, Jerusalem, Streets, Buildings, People, Countryside Oct. 1983

box 4

- Los Angeles Dec. 1983

box 4

- Hungary: Budapest - Dancers, Market, People May 1984

box 5

- New Zealand: Auckland, Queenstown, Te Anan, Milford Sound, Mount Cook, Rotorua, Christchurch Nov. 1984

box 5

- New Guinea, Kenny Byrd Nov. 1984

box 5

- Australia: Sydney, Melbourne, Animals Nov. 1984

box 5

- Hemphill Harris Show Jan. 1985

box 5

- London Jan. 1985

box 5

- Pacific Northwest Trip Jan. 1986

box 5

- Skylark Repair; Sunset Oct. 1986

box 5

- Mendocino, CA Dec. 1986

box 5

- J. Paul Getty Villa Jan. 1987

box 5

- Amsterdam, Rotenberg, Munich, Freiburg, Worms, Liechtenstein, Yugoslavia, Salzburg, Alps, Zurich, Venice, Heidelberg July 1987

box 5

- Nori Aug. 1987

box 5

N.D. - Los Angeles

box 5

N.D. - Santa Barbara / San Luis Obispo

box 5

N.D. - Unidentified

 

Artifacts

box 6

Plaque - Muzak: Pacific Network Incorporated, presented to William N. Muster for over 15 years of service

box 6

Platter (pewter) - SATW: The President's Award, 1987, Bill Muster, for Meritorious Service to the SATW

 

Oversize

General note

Mainly photo enlargements, some mounted, including Delta Queen, building of Universal City construction, Germany, travel to countries such as Turkey, Kenya photo from BM's office, scenery, the ship Fairsky; also drawings of Nori and Billy Muster, 1919 class photo with relatives of Nori's, 1930s Lake of the Wood photo with [BM's] foster family.
 

Audiovisual

 

Audiotapes - open reel

reel A21089/R7

- content unknown Nov. 1960; Apr. 1961

reel A21090/R7

- Hilliard talks (Edward Hilliard, Sr. - Hollywood comedian, circus owner, poet, and artist) Aug. 3, 1963

reel A21091/R5

- Andrus vs Muster July 28, 1966

reel A21092/R5

- N. C. Cooke, A. Gordon Kibbee, and Mrs. Marie Kibbee at Knights Restaurant Sept. 16, 1966

reel A21093/R5

- Delta Queen story, KSTT News Oct. 19, 1970

reel A21094/R7

- Frank Cady [ Delta Queen?] May 4, 1974

reel A21095/R7

No Date - Calliope Music [ Delta Queen?]

reel A21096/R5

No Date - BM calling people on the phone

reel A21097/R7

No Date - Jokes: Furey and Stan Freberg; John Wilkman

reel A21098/R5

No Date - content unknown

reel A33141/R7

Synanon, "Truth Game" June 1972

 

Film - Color - 8mm

reel V4643/F1

- [family vacation] Summer 1964

reel V4644/F1

- Capistrano / Tijuana Spring 1965

reel V4645/F1

- Spain / Portugal 1965

reel V4646-4648/F1

No Date - Rhine Boats - research for building the Mississippi Queen [as per Nori] (3 reels)

 

Film - Color - 16 mm

reel V4649/F1

Muzak Conference, n.d.

 

Film - Color - 35 mm

reel V4650/F1

All Star Album Lineup