Guide to the J. F. Rowny Press Records

Processed by D. Tambo
Department of Special Collections
Davidson Library
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA 93106
Phone: (805) 893-3062
Fax: (805) 893-5749
Email: special@library.ucsb.edu
URL: http://www.library.ucsb.edu/speccoll/speccoll.html
© 2003
Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.

Guide to the J. F. Rowny Press Records, ca. 1912-1967

Collection number: Printers Mss 12

Department of Special Collections, Davidson Library, University of California, Santa Barbara

Contact Information:

  • Department of Special Collections
  • Davidson Library
  • University of California, Santa Barbara
  • Santa Barbara, CA 93106
  • Phone: (805) 893-3062
  • Fax: (805) 893-5749
  • Email: special@library.ucsb.edu
  • URL: http://www.library.ucsb.edu/speccoll/speccoll.html
    Processed by:
    D. Tambo
    Date Completed:
    12 November 2003
    Encoded by:
    David C. Gartrell
© 2003 Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Summary

Title: J. F. Rowny Press Records,
Date (inclusive): ca. 1912-1967
Collection Number: Printers Mss 12
Creator: Rowny (J. F.)
Extent: 2 linear feet (5 document boxes)
Repository: University of California, Santa Barbara. Library. Department of Special Collections
Santa Barbara, California 93106-9010
Physical Location: Del Sur
Language: English.

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

None.

Publication Rights

Copyright has not been assigned to the Department of Special Collections, UCSB. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Department of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained.

Preferred Citation

J. F. Rowny Press Records. Printers Mss 12. Department of Special Collections, Davidson Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Acquisition Information

Purchase, 1987.

Biography

Joseph F. Rowny was born in Austria-Hungary in 1882. By 1916, he was living in Los Angeles, California, where he founded the J. F. Rowny Press, which sought to promote works on non-sectarian religion. His company masthead advertised "Philosophical, Metaphysical, Mystic, and the New Age Literature." In the mid-1920s, he began to buy property in Santa Barbara from real estate broker Harold S. Chase. Then, in 1932, he relocated the Press to his new address in Santa Barbara, and continued to operate it there until his death in 1976 at the age of 93. After his death, a Rowny Foundation was established, which eventually deeded his estate to the Religious Studies Department at the University of California Santa Barbara, which created two chairs in his honor.

Scope and Content of Collection

The collection contains records of the Santa Barbara-based J. F. Rowny Press, publishers of works on religion and metaphysics. It includes incoming/and some outgoing correspondence (arranged alphabetically), financial records, galleys and typescript drafts of submissions for publication, and some miscellaneous files, including pamphlets and flyers from other authors and publishers of similar kinds of material, many located in California.
Related Rowny publications have been cataloged separately and may be searched on Pegasus, the UCSB Libraries online catalog.

 

Series 1.  Correspondence

Scope and Content Note

Mainly incoming
Box 1: 1

A

Abstract: [incl. Academy of Equilibrium - Los Angeles; American Buddhist Society - Portland, OR; American Institute of Culture - Santa Barbara, CA; Aquarian Ministry - Santa Barbara, CA; Aquarian Institute of Philosophy - Minneapolis, MN; AUM - The Spiritual Life Magazine - Highway highlands, CA]
Box 1: 2

B

Abstract: [incl. Buddhist Society - London]
Box 1: 3

C

Abstract: [incl. Carey-Perry School of the Chemistry of Life - Hollywood, CA; Chapel ofTruth - Germantown, PA; Christ-Way College of Occult Science Los Angeles; Church of Divine Truth - Indianapolis, IN: Church of Light - Los Angeles; College of Mental Science - Santa Monica, CA]
Box 1: 4

D

Abstract: [incl. Dharma Book Club - San Francisco, CA]
Box 1: 5

E

Box 1: 6

F

Abstract: [incl. First Temple and College of Astrology, Inc. - Los Angeles; Folklore Studio, Los Angeles]
Box 1: 7

G

Abstract: [incl.Globa Movado - Lakeside, CA]
Box 1: 8

Green, Joseph Perry

Box 1: 9

Gyanee, Bhagwan

Box 1: 10

H

Abstract: [incl. Harmonization Fellowship Foundation - Portland, OR; Higher Thought Digest - Kenmore, NY; Holmes' Lectures on Psychology and Metaphysics - Santa Monica, CA]
Box 1: 11

I

Abstract: [incl. Infinite Science - Los Angeles; Inner Culture: The Magazine of India - Los Angeles; Institute for the Advancement of Cultural and Spiritual Values - Chicago]
Box 1: 12

J

Box 1: 13

Jarvis, Stinson

Box 1: 14

K

Abstract: [incl. Kosmon Press - Los Angeles; Krotona Book Shop - Ojai, CA]
Box 1: 15

L

Abstract: [incl. Library of the New Thought Temple - Cincinnati, OH; Life Culture Corporation - Ocean Park, CA; Lokkanatha Buddhist Mission - Beverly Hills, CA]
Box 1: 16

Littlefield, George Elmer

Box 1: 17

M

Abstract: [incl. Master Mind Publishing Company, Inc. - Los Angeles; Meher Mount - Ojai, CA; Metaphysical Book Guild - Los Angeles; Metaphysical Library - San Francisco; Modern Mystic and Monthly Science Review - London]
Box 1: 18

Mind Digest

Box 1: 19

N

Abstract: [incl. New Age Press - Los Angeles; New Life Foundation - La Crescenta, CA; New Messianic Light Center - South Pasadena, CA]
Box 1: 20

Norden, Max

Box 1: 21

O

Abstract: [incl. Order of Christian Mystics - Washington, D.C.; Order of the Cross - London]
Box 1: 22

P

Abstract: [incl. Paul Elder & Co. - San Francisco, CA; Psychic Book Center - New York; Psychic Observer - Jamestown, NY; Pyramid Publications - New York]
Box 2: 1

Q-R

Abstract: [incl. Rosicrucian Fellowship - San Francisco; Rosicrucian Order - San Jose, CA]
Box 2: 2

Riley, Frank L.

Box 2: 3

S

Abstract: [incl. St. Louis Truth Center - St. Louis, MO; Sanctilean University - Florence, AZ; School of the Natural Order - San Marcos, CA; School of the Sacred Science - Los Angeles; Self-Realization Fellowship - San Francisco; Society of Rosicrucians, Inc. - New York; Soul of Man Publishing Co. - St. Louis, MO; Sufi Movement - New York]
Box 2: 4

T

Abstract: [incl. Temple of the People - Halcyon, CA; Theosophical University Press - Covina, CA]
Box 2: 5

Trine, Ralph Waldo

Box 2: 6

U-V

Abstract: [incl. Unity Fellowship - Los Angeles; Unity School of Christianity - Kansas City, MO; Universal Psychology Association - Santa Monica, CA; Vegetarians International - Pasadena, CA]
Box 2: 7

W

Abstract: [incl. Western Revue of the American Culture - Los Angeles; Wisdom Library and Book Club - Altadena, CA]
Box 2: 8

Miscellany/Unidentified

Box 2: 9

Outgoing

 

Series 2.  Publications

Scope and Content Note

drafts, proofs, some related correspondence
Box 2: 10

Muschell, Helen - Oasis in the Cosmos, 1967

Box 2: 11 - 12

Reed, Frederick S. - Life: In Our World, Continuous Through Eternity, published 1953

Box 3: 1 - 7

Reed - Life

Abstract: [cont.]
Box 4: 1 - 3

Romayne, H. Y. - Anthropos: A Mystery-Play , published 1953

Box 4: 4

Stimson, John Ward - The Gate Beautiful, ca. 1925 - 1930

Box 4: 5

Stimson, John Ward - Wandering Chords: Poems, published 1927

Box 4: 6 - 8

Unidentified, n.d.

 

Series 3.  Miscellany

Box 5: 1

Day Book, n.y.

Abstract: [receipts and disbursements, including printing jobs]
Box 5: 2

Ephemera

Abstract: [incl. flyers, newsletters, pamphlets, prospectuses, mainly from other authors and publishers of similar kinds of material]
Box 5: 3

Financial, ca. 1912 - 1939

Abstract: [orders, returns, personal finances]
Box 5: 4

"The Hermetick Romance; Or Chymical Wedding", n.d.

Abstract: [typescript, apparently Rosicrucian, author unknown]
Box 5: 5

Hope Ranch Park Homes, 1928 - 1929

Abstract: [financial dealings with Santa Barbara realtor Harold S. Chase, re Rowny purchasing property in Hope Ranch]
Box 5: 6

J. F. Rowny Press letterhead stationery, n.d.

Box 5: 7

Journal, ca. 1914

Abstract: [aphorisms, short essays, correspondence - some material laid in]
Box 5: 8

"The Science of Numbers", n.d.

Abstract: [series of lessons]
Box 5: 9

Seton, Julia, n.d.

Abstract: [biographical sketch of a healer]