The George Phillips Sweepiana Collection is a comprehensive collection of materials related to chimney sweepers. The collection dates from approximately 1932-1963, with the bulk of the documents undated. It consists of both paper records and artifacts. The collection has a broad interdisciplinary focus and includes literature, history, art, and artifacts relating to chimney sweeping. It has been divided into five series: Research Files, Publications, Correspondence and Clippings, Personal Files, and Figuring and Artifact Collection.

Dr. George Phillips taught in the English department at San Diego State University from 1947-1973. A scholar of 18th and 19th Century British literature, Phillips was recognized as the world's authority on the history and literature of chimney sweeps. For over fifty years Phillips amassed a sizeable collection of books, prints, manuscripts, paintings, and memorabilia from all over New York and Europe.

47.05 Linear Feet

The copyright interests in these materials have not been transferred to San Diego State University. Copyright resides with the creators of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. The nature of historical archival and manuscript collections is such that copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine.  Requests for permission to publish must be submitted to the Head of Special Collections, San Diego State University, Library and Information Access. When granted, permission is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder(s), which must also be obtained in order to publish. Materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials.

This collection is open for research.