Finding aid to the Imperial Courts collection, 1959-2009 Coll2012-130

Marc LaRocque and Loni Shibuyama
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
(c) 2012, 2017
909 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90007
askone@usc.edu


Language of Material: English
Contributing Institution: ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Title: Imperial Courts collection
creator: Imperial Courts
Identifier/Call Number: Coll2012-130
Physical Description: 1.6 Linear Feet 3 boxes.
Date (inclusive): 1959-2009
Abstract: Photographs, flyers, organizational correspondence, court lists, polling sheets, clippings, notes, manuscripts, ephemera, and other material documenting activities of Imperial Courts, primarily in Southern California and San Francisco, 1959-2009. The Imperial Courts originated in San Francisco in 1965 as gay community social and fundraising events with a camp Imperial theme; the annual main event featured the coronation of elected monarchs (a king and queen) who in turn selected a royal court.

Historical Note

According to a short history from the collection, the Imperial Courts (or the "Imperial Court system") originated in San Francisco in 1965 as gay community social events with a camp Imperial theme; the annual main event featured the coronation of elected monarchs (a king and queen) who then selected a royal court. Imperial Court events soon assumed a more serious purpose (community-oriented fundraising), while retaining their irreverent and festive spirit.

Access

The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.

Publication Rights

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.

Acquisition Information

Date and donor(s) of materials unknown.

Preferred Citation

Box #, folder #, Imperial Courts Collection, Coll2012-130, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California

Processing Information

Collection processed by Sophie Frank, with assistance from Marc LaRocque and David Hensley, 2017.

Scope and Content

Photographs and negatives, flyers, organizational correspondence, court lists, polling sheets, clippings, notes, manuscripts, annual reports, ephemera, and other material documenting activities of Imperial Courts, primarily in Southern California and San Francisco, 1973-1994. According to a short history from the collection, the Imperial Courts (or the "Imperial Court system") originated in San Francisco in 1965 as gay community social events with a camp Imperial theme; the annual main event featured the coronation of elected monarchs (a king and queen) who in turn selected a royal court. Imperial Court events soon assumed a more serious purpose (community-oriented fundraising), while retaining their irreverent festive spirit. The collection documents fundraisers and other events staged by both local and cooperating courts.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged alphabetically with photographs at the end.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Cross dressing -- Competitions -- United States
Drag balls
Drag shows
Gay clubs -- California -- Los Angeles
Gay men -- Societies and clubs

Box 2, Folder 3

Emperor Luigi 1973

Box 1, Folder 1

Imperial Council of Courts 1973-1976

Box 1, Folder 2

Inland Empire 1978-1983

Box 2, Folder 4

Leonard, Lee 1974-1979

Box 1, Folder 3

Long Beach 1972-1993

Box 1, Folder 6-15

Los Angeles 1972-2009

Box 2, Folder 5

Murray, Nicole Ramirez 1978

Box 1, Folder 4

Orange County 1977-1981

Box 2, Folder 1

Other Cities 1972-1987

Box 1, Folder 5

San Diego 1976-1994

Box 1, Folder 16-19

San Francisco 1971-1989

Box 2, Folder 6

Sarria, Jose 1959-1985

Box 2, Folder 2

Unidentified cities 1972-1993

 

Photographs

Box 3, Folder 1

The Columns Northwest, photographs undated

Box 3, Folder 2

Caringi, Emperor Michael circa 1975-1976

Box 3, Folder 3

Empress I La Rey undated

Box 3, Folder 4

Inland Empire circa 1972

Box 3, Folder 5

Ruben, photographer 1973-1975

Box 3, Folder 6

San Fernando Valley, photographs by L. Edwards 1993

Box 3, Folder 7

San Francisco 1978

Box 3, Folder 8

Sarria, Jose 1978-1987

Box 3, Folder 9

South Bay Coronation Cruise 1975

Box 3, Folder 10-12

Towne Club by J.C. Pearson 1975

Box 3, Folder 13-14

Miscellaneous photographs undated