Guide to the D. G. Gibson Papers
Sean Heyliger
African American Museum & Library at Oakland
659 14th Street
Oakland, California 94612
Phone: (510) 637-0198
Fax: (510) 637-0204
Email: aamlo@oaklandlibrary.org
URL: http://www.oaklandlibrary.org/locations/african-american-museum-library-oakland
© 2013
African American Museum & Library at Oakland. All rights reserved.
Guide to the D. G. Gibson Papers
Collection number: MS 130
African American Museum & Library at Oakland
Oakland, California
- Processed by:
- Sean Heyliger
- Date Completed:
- 02/05/2014
- Encoded by:
- Sean Heyliger
© 2013 African American Museum & Library at Oakland. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: D. G. Gibson papers
Dates: 1939-1973
Collection number: MS 130
Creator:
Gibson, D. G.
Collection Size:
.25 linear feet
(1 box)
Repository:
African American Museum & Library at Oakland (Oakland, Calif.)
Abstract: Businessman and civic leader D. G. Gibson (1891-1973) was born on February 14, 1891 in Calvert, Texas. After attending Guadalupe
College in Seguin, Texas, he joined the 92nd Infantry Division of the U.S. Army fighting in France during World War I. Following
the war, he moved to California in 1920 settling in the East Bay first as a real estate agent and then opening and operating
one of the most successful distribution businesses on the West Coast, selling subscriptions for black newspapers, periodicals
and cosmetic supplies. The D.G. Gibson papers consists of financial records, correspondence, beauty product catalogs, programs,
pamphlets, and invitations related to the life and business enterprises of D.G. Gibson.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
Access
No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.
Access Restrictions
Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.
Publication Rights
Permission to publish from the D. G. Gibson papers must be obtained from the African American Museum & Library at Oakland.
Preferred Citation
D. G. Gibson papers, MS 130, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.
Processing Information
Processed by Sean Heyliger, 02/05/2014.
Biography / Administrative History
Businessman and civic leader D. G. Gibson (1891-1973) was born on February 14, 1891 in Calvert, Texas. After attending Guadalupe
College in Seguin, Texas, he joined the 92nd Infantry Division of the U.S. Army fighting in France during World War I. Following
the war, he moved to California in 1920 settling in the East Bay first as a real estate agent and then opening and operating
one of the most successful distribution businesses on the West Coast, selling subscriptions for black newspapers, periodicals
and cosmetic supplies.
Beginning in the 1930s, Gibson became active in Democratic politics. He served in the Democratic Party in multiple capacities
as a club chairman, district coordinator, campaign coordinator, county coordinator, and state representative. He was a member
of numerous East Bay civic organizations including the YMCA, East Bay Business and Professional Men’s League, Port of Oakland
Club, NAACP, Men of Tomorrow, Inc., and the Berkeley Interracial Committee.
Scope and Content of Collection
The D.G. Gibson papers consists of financial records, correspondence, beauty product catalogs, programs, pamphlets, and invitations
related to the life and business enterprises of D.G. Gibson. The papers are organized into three series: D.G. Sales and Service
records, civic organizations, and printed material. The bulk of the collection is records related to D.G. Gibson’s black periodicals
and beauty product distribution service and includes financial records, product catalogs, and correspondence related to subscription
renewal. The civic organization series includes a 1946 letter from the Berkeley Interracial Committee soliciting donations
from members and envelopes of the Negro Non-Partisan League of California. Printed material consists of a funeral program
from D.G. Gibson’s memorial service, the pamphlet,
A plan… with a future, by the National Negro News Distributors Association, invitations from various Oakland organizations, and a membership application
and personal ad listing by the Bronze Key Exchange and the American Colored Club, two African American dating services.
Arrangement
Series I. D. G. Gibson Sales and Service
Series II. Civic organizations
Series III. Printed material
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
African American beauty operators.
African American businesspeople.
Beauty culture--United States--History.
Beauty, Personal--History.
Beauty shop supplies industry--United States.
D. G. Gibson Sales and Service
Physical Description: 6 folders
Series Scope and Content Summary
Includes D.G. Gibson Sales and Service beauty product catalogs, brochures, financial records, and business cards and customer
correspondence related to subscription renewals to various African American publications.
Arrangement
Arranged by format.
Box 1:1
Subscription correspondence
1945-1947
Box 1:4
Periodical sales receipt booklets
1946
Box 1:2
Galenol Company manufacturers of Dr. Fred Palmer’s products
1961
Box 1:2
Newbro’s great queen and tuxedo products
undated
Civic organizations
Physical Description: 2 folders
Series Scope and Content Summary
Includes Berkeley Interracial Committee donation letter and Negro Non-Partisan League of California envelopes.
Arrangement
Arranged by format.
Box 1:7
Berkeley Interracial Committee donation letter
1946
Box 1:8
Negro Non-Partisan League of California envelopes
undated
Printed material
Physical Description: 1 folder
Series Scope and Content Summary
Includes D.G. Gibson funeral service program, a National Negro News Distributors Association pamphlet,
A plan… with a future, membership, application, and personal ad listing for the African American dating services American Colored Club and Bronze
Key Exchange, and invitations to various Oakland events.
Arrangement
Arranged by format.
Box 1:10
D. G. Gibson memorial service program
1973
Box 1:9
A plan… with a future / National Negro News Distributors Association
1944
Box 1:9
American Colored Club membership brochure and application
undated
Box 1:9
Bronze Key Exchange membership brochure and personal ads listing
undated
Box 1:9
Let’s jump with Lionel Hampton’s swing book
1945
Box 1:9
Y.W.C.A. Public Affairs Committee meeting
1939
Box 1:9
South of the border event at the DeFremery USO Club
1947
Box 1:9
Wedding reception for Rev. David R. Wallace and Ruby Abdeen
1939
