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 1, Folder 1
Imperial Council of Courts
1973-1976
Box 2, Folder 5
Murray, Nicole Ramirez
1978
Box 2, Folder 2
Unidentified cities
1972-1993
Box 3, Folder 1
The Columns Northwest, photographs
undated
Box 3, Folder 2
Caringi, Emperor Michael
circa 1975-1976
Box 3, Folder 5
Ruben, photographer
1973-1975
Box 3, Folder 6
San Fernando Valley, photographs by L. Edwards
1993
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