Finding Aid to the Louis Cuneo Papers, 1973-2003
Finding Aid written by Guadalupe Lugo; revised by Linda Jordan and Holly Fox
The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California, 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/
© 2007
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Finding Aid to the Louis Cuneo Papers, 1973-2003
Collection Number: BANC MSS 88/183 c
The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California
- Finding Aid Written By:
- Guadalupe Lugo; revised by Linda Jordan and Holly Fox
- Date Completed:
-
January 2007
© 2007 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Collection Summary
Collection Title: Louis Cuneo papers,
Date (inclusive): 1973-2003
Collection Number: BANC MSS 88/183 c
Creator :
Cuneo, Louis
Extent:
Number of containers: 3 cartons, 4 oversize folders
Linear feet: 3.75
Repository: The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California, 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/
Abstract:
The Louis Cuneo Papers examine the life and interests of a San Francisco Bay Area poet. Cuneo's writings include poetry and
prose collections, short stories, a novel, and two plays. The collection includes materials from the first four Berkeley
Poetry Festivals as well as items documenting Cuneo's experience as an honorary member of the Creative Writer's Workshop of
Folsom Prison.
Languages Represented: Collection materials are in English
Physical Location: Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information
on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Information for Researchers
Access
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Head
of Public Services, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, 94270-6000. Consent is given on behalf of The
Bancroft Library 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. See:
http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/reference/permissions.html .
Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research
and educational purposes.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Louis Cuneo Papers, BANC MSS 88/183 c, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Alternate Forms Available
There are no alternate forms of this collection.
Separated Material
Printed materials have been transferred to the book collection of The Bancroft Library.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Cuneo, Louis
Folsom Prison. Creative Writer's Workshop
Poets, American--20th century
Haiku, American
American poetry--20th century
Poems.
Posters.
Manuscripts for publication.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
The Louis Cuneo Papers were purchased by The Bancroft Library from Louis Cuneo on May 18, 1988. Additions were made in 1990,
1991, 1999, and 2001.
Accruals
Future additions are expected.
Processing Information
Processed by Linda Jordan and Holly Fox in 2000 and 2005.
Biographical Information
After growing up in New York City, Louis Cuneo moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in his early twenties to work as poet,
teacher, and playwright. In 1971, he founded Mother's Hen to promote spoken word poetry in the Bay Area. With Mother's Hen
he has coordinated several reading series including the Berkeley Poetry Festival, the Muchos Somos series, and the Touch of
a Poet series. He has also published ten of his own books including
Haiku Revisited,
Godzilla Attacks a Truck,
Passing Moments, and
Splash! He is a Haiku expert and has recently turned his attention toward haiga, the visual aspect of haiku. He now spends much
of his time working as a photographer.
System of Arrangement
Arranged to the folder level.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Louis Cuneo Papers is a detailed examination of the life and interests of a San Francisco Bay Area poet. Cuneo's writings
include poetry and prose collections, short stories, a novel, and two plays. The collection includes materials from the first
four Berkeley Poetry Festivals as well as items documenting Cuneo's experience as an honorary member of the Creative Writer's
Workshop of Folsom.
Series 1
Writings and Photography
1973-2002
Physical Description:
Carton 1; Carton 2, folders 1-10; Oversize folder 1
Arrangement
Arranged hierarchically. Divided into six sub-series: Books, Short Stories, Poems, Plays, Miscellaneous Writings, and Photography
Scope and Content Note
The series may include any of all of the following: revised typescripts with corrections, drafts, proofs, mock-ups, correspondence,
publicity, and printed copies of specific works. Cuneo's writings include prose and poetry collections, short stories, a
novel, and two plays. Though he writes in a variety of mediums, his work is stylistically linked in that it displays a simplicity
reflective of his passion for the Haiku.
Subseries 1.1
Books
1973-2002,
undated
Physical Description:
Carton 1, folders 1-30; Oversize folder 1
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
Contains books authored by Cuneo.
Carton 1, Folder 1-2
Haiku Revisited
1973-1978
Carton 1, Folder 3
Traditional Chinese Poetry
1979,
undated
Carton 1, Folder 4-5
Godzilla Attacks a Truck: Selected Haiku, 1972-1980
1980-1981
Oversize Drawer A, Folder 1
Carton 1, Folder 6-7
The Long Weekend: A Novella
1986-1988
Carton 1, Folder 8-11
Voices and People Forgotten
1988-1991,
undated
Carton 1, Folder 12-19
Passing Moments
1989-1992
Carton 1, Folder 24-27
Hippie Hill: A Zen Novel
1991-1995,
undated
Subseries 1.2
Short Stories
1987,
undated
Physical Description:
Carton 1, folders 31-34
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
Contains two short stories authored by Cuneo.
Carton 1, Folder 31
The Sensation Shop: The Store Clerk's Views and Insights
1987
Carton 1, Folder 32-34
Saga of Gloria Grace
undated
Subseries 1.3
Poems
1987-1998,
undated
Physical Description:
Carton 1, folders 35-45
Arrangement
Arranged hierarchically and chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
Includes published and untitled works, as well as Cuneo's poetry notebooks.
Carton 1, Folder 35
Down the Block, Love Story
1987
Carton 1, Folder 36
Journey into Self
undated
Carton 1, Folder 38-39
Poems (A-Z)
1998,
undated
Carton 1, Folder 40
Untitled Poems
1996-1997,
undated
Carton 1, Folder 41-45
Poetry notebooks
1994-1998,
undated
Subseries 1.4
Plays
1997,
undated
Physical Description:
Carton 1, folders 46-49; Carton 2, folders 1-3
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
Contains three plays authored by Cuneo.
Subseries 1.5
Miscellaneous Writings
1973-1998,
undated
Physical Description:
Carton 2, folders 4-7
Arrangement
Arranged hierarchically.
Scope and Content Note
Includes bibliographies, readings, reviews, and clippings.
Carton 2, Folder 4
Miscellaneous: Bibliographies
1981,
undated
Carton 2, Folder 5
Miscellaneous: Poetry readings
1973-1998,
undated
Carton 2, Folder 6
Miscellaneous: Reviews of poetry
1973-1988,
undated
Carton 2, Folder 7
Miscellaneous: Clippings
1981
Subseries 1.6
Photography
2001-2002,
undated
Physical Description:
Carton 2, folders 8-10
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically.
Scope and Content Note
Includes photographs as well as exhibition materials.
Carton 2, Folder 8
Exhibition materials
2001-2002,
undated
Series 2
Poetry Festivals and Seminars
1973-1999
Physical Description:
Carton 2, folders 11-40; Carton 3, folders 1-20; Oversize folder 2
Arrangement
Arranged hierarchically. Divided into four sub-series: Berkeley Poetry Festival, Touch of a Poet, Rhyme and Reason, and Folsom
Prison Seminar.
Scope and Content Note
This series focuses on Cuneo's role in the Bay Area poetry scene as a festival coordinator and creative writing instructor.
Each file may consist of some or all of the following: correspondence, poetry, programs of readings, poet contact information,
publicity, and reviews.
Subseries 2.1
Berkeley Poetry Festival
1981-2002,
undated
Physical Description:
Carton 2, folders 11-34; Oversize folder 2
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by each festival.
Scope and Content Note
Includes correspondence, programs, publicity and photographs for each of the first four Berkeley Poetry Festivals.
2.1.1
1st Berkeley Poetry Festival
Carton 2, Folder 11
Correspondence re: proposal
1998
Carton 2, Folder 12
Program drafts and mock-up
1998
Carton 2, Folder 13
Publicity
1981-1998,
undated
Oversize Drawer A, Folder 2
Carton 2, Folder 14
Poems inspired by Festival
1998
2.1.2
2nd Berkeley Poetry Festival
Oversize Drawer A, Folder 2
2.1.3
3rd Berkeley Poetry Festival
Oversize Drawer A, Folder 2
Carton 2, Folder 24
Open mic sign-up sheets
2000
Carton 2, Folder 25-26
Signed release forms
2000
2.1.4
4th Berkeley Poetry Festival
Carton 2, Folder 28
Correspondence
2001-2002,
undated
Carton 2, Folder 30
Budget and funding agreements
2001-2002,
undated
Carton 2, Folder 31
Open mic sign-up sheets
2002
Carton 2, Folder 32
Signed release forms
2002
Subseries 2.2
Touch of a Poet
[1980s]-1998
Physical Description:
Carton 2, folders 35-40; Carton 3, folders 1-9
Arrangement
Arranged hierarchically.
Scope and Content Note
Includes correspondence, programs, and publicity materials.
Carton 2, Folder 36-37
Reading Programs
1991-1998
Carton 2, Folder 39
Open mic sign-up sheets and reading schedules
1997-1998,
undated
Carton 2, Folder 40
Poet biographies
1993-1994,
undated
Carton 3, Folder 1-5
Poets' contact info
1992-1998,
undated
Carton 3, Folder 6
Photographs at Spasso's
[1980s]
Carton 3, Folder 9
Notes on Bay Area open mics
1998
Subseries 2.3
Rhyme and Reason Poetry Festival
1999-2000
Physical Description:
Carton 3, folders 10-11
Arrangement
Arranged hierarchically.
Scope and Content Note
Includes correspondence and announcements regarding the Festival.
Subseries 2.4
Folsom Prison Seminar
1973-1975
Physical Description:
Carton 3, folders 12-20
Arrangement
Arranged hierarchically.
Scope and Content Note
Includes correspondence, programs, publicity, and reviews.
Carton 3, Folder 15
Programs for readings
1974
Carton 3, Folder 16
Poems by Folsom prisoners
1975,
undated
Carton 3, Folder 17
"Folsom Journal" by Louis Cuneo
1974
Carton 3, Folder 18
Certificate of honorary membership, Creative Writer's Workshop of Folsom
1974
Carton 3, Folder 19
Publicity for
Poets and Writers from Folsom
1975
Carton 3, Folder 20
Reviews of
Poets and Writers from Folsom
1974,
undated
Series 3
Small Press Management
1973-1998
Physical Description:
Carton 3, folders 21-34
Arrangement
Arranged hierarchically. Divided into three sub-series: Mother's Hen, Lean Frog, and Miscellaneous
Scope and Content Note
Each file may include some or all of the following: broadsheets, Haiku workshops, publication announcements, poetry newsletters,
publicity, and reviews. Though known primarily for being a writer, Cuneo is deeply involved in the world of small press publishing
in the Bay Area, having worked with two small presses: Mother's Hen and Lean Frog.
Subseries 3.1
Mother's Hen
1973-2000,
undated
Physical Description:
Carton 3, folders 21-27
Arrangement
Arranged hierarchically.
Scope and Content Note
Includes correspondence, contracts, and publicity as well as broadsheets of Cuneo poetry.
Carton 3, Folder 21
Correspondence
1977-1999,
undated
Carton 3, Folder 23-24
Publicity
1973-2000,
undated
Carton 3, Folder 25
Broadsheets with Cuneo's poems
1973
Carton 3, Folder 26
"I See America Daily" by Harold Norse
1974
Carton 3, Folder 27
Reviews of work published by Mother's Hen
1973-1975
Subseries 3.2
Lean Frog
1975-1981
Physical Description:
Carton 3, folders 28-31
Arrangement
Arranged hierarchically.
Scope and Content Note
Includes information on haiku writing workshops, publicity, and poetry broadsides.
Carton 3, Folder 28
Broadsheets with miscellaneous poems
Undated
Carton 3, Folder 29
Haiku writing workshops
1978,
undated
Carton 3, Folder 30
Publication announcements
1980
Carton 3, Folder 31
Publicity for readings
1975-1981
Subseries 3.3
Miscellaneous
1973-1998
Physical Description:
Carton 3, folders 32-34
Arrangement
Arranged hierarchically.
Scope and Content Note
Includes poetry newsletters and information on the 1975 San Francisco Book Fair.
Carton 3, Folder 32
"Poetalk:" Poetry Newsletter
1980-1982
Carton 3, Folder 33
Miscellaneous poetry newsletters
1980-1998
Carton 3, Folder 34
San Francisco Book Fair: Bookswest '75
1973-1975
Series 4
Personal Papers
1978-1986
Physical Description:
Carton 3, folders 35-59; Oversize folders 3 and 4
Arrangement
Arranged hierarchically. Divided into four sub-series: Correspondence; Personal Records; Pablo Cuneo; and Marcia Pool.
Scope and Content Note
This series consists of personal papers of Cuneo and his family.
Subseries 4.1
Correspondence
1958-2003,
undated
Physical Description:
Carton 3, folders 35-48
Arrangement
Arranged hierarchically.
Scope and Content Note
Includes general correspondence arranged by correspondent and requests/recommendations for grants.
Carton 3, Folder 37
Cuneo, Maria Hoyos
undated
Carton 3, Folder 42
Poole, Luther and Miriam
1999-2000
Carton 3, Folder 43
Poole, Marcia
1993-2003,
undated
Carton 3, Folder 47
Requests and recommendations for grants
1978
Carton 3, Folder 48
Poetry submitted to Cuneo by L. Celeste Conner
1986
Subseries 4.2
Personal Records
1964-2000,
undated
Physical Description:
Carton 3, folders 49-53; Oversize folders 3 and 4
Arrangement
Arranged hierarchically.
Scope and Content Note
Includes miscellaneous photographs and other memorabilia.
Carton 3, Folder 49-53
Identification cards, photographs, miscellaneous
1964-2000,
undated
Oversize Drawer A, Folder 3
Oversize Drawer A, Folder 4
Peace News special edition
2001
Subseries 4.3
Pablo Cuneo
2001-2002,
undated
Physical Description:
Carton 3, folders 54 and 55
Arrangement
Arranged hierarchically.
Scope and Content Note
Includes materials relating to Cuneo's son, Pablo Cuneo.
Carton 3, Folder 54
Pablo Cuneo: Publicity for Neurotic Delusion
2001-2002,
undated
Carton 3, Folder 55
Drawing and clipping
undated
Subseries 4.4
Marcia Poole
1998-2001,
undated
Physical Description:
Carton 3, folders 56-59
Arrangement
Arranged hierarchically.
Scope and Content Note
Contains materials documenting the community work of Cuneo's partner, Marcia Pool.
Carton 3, Folder 56
Coalition for Pedestrian Rights
1998,
undated
Carton 3, Folder 57
Reddy incident
2000-2001,
undated
Carton 3, Folder 58-59
Miscellaneous
2001,
undated
