Bruce E. Bradbury Papers
Coll2008-022
Michael C. Oliveira
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
909 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, California 90007
(213) 821-2771
askone@usc.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Title: Bruce E. Bradbury papers
creator:
Bradbury, Bruce Edgar
Identifier/Call Number: Coll2008-022
Physical Description:
2.8 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1942-1991
Abstract: Photographs, correspondence, and other materials relating to the life and family of Bruce Bradbury (1923-1992). The documents
include family correspondence, photographs, and 8-mm home movies. Other photographs, correspondence, and materials document
Bradbury's service in the United States Merchant Marine, his creative writing (including a typescript of his novel
Who Are You, Billy Bingleman?), and his interest in motorcycles and tattoos.
Physical Description: 2 archive cartons, 2 archives half-carton, 1 oversize box.
Access
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.
Publication Rights
Researchers wishing to publish materials must obtain permission in writing from ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives as the
physical owner. Researchers must also obtain clearance from the holder(s) of any copyrights in the materials. Note that ONE
National Gay and Lesbian Archives can grant copyright clearance only for those materials for which we hold the copyright.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain copyright clearance for all other materials directly from the copyright
holder(s).
Preferred Citation
Box #, Folder #, Bruce E. Bradbury Papers, Coll2008-022, ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California.
Acquisition Information
Date and method of acquisition unknown.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Michael C. Oliveira, January 7, 2008.
Processing this collection has been funded by a generous grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Additional materials added by Kyle Morgan, 2015.
Biography
Bruce Edgar Bradbury was born in Indiana (possibly Albion) on May 15, 1923, to Edgar J. and Lucille Enger Chappelle Bradbury.
A member of the National Honor Society, he graduated from high school in 1940 and went on to attend Northwestern University.
He later graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy and served as a deck officer on the
Mesh Knot. In the mid 1950s, he relocated to Los Angeles, where he pursued his interests in creative writing, motorcycles (he appears
to have been a member of the Saddleback Motorcycle Club of Orange County), and tattoos. He died in Los Angeles on April 13,
1992.
Scope and Content of Collection
The bulk of the collection consists of photographs of Bradbury's service with the United States Merchant Marine, outings with
the Saddleback Motorcycle Club of Orange County, and images of himself and family. The collection also includes 7 reels of
8-mm home movies dating from the mid-1950s, and a typescript of his novel,
Who are You, Billy Bingleman? Bradbury's personal papers include identity, membership, and business cards, along with documents relating to his Merchant
Marine service, and his interest in tattoos. Other papers include correspondence and personal papers of his mother, father
and brother.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Photographs
Merchant marine
Tattooed people
Gay motorcycle clubs -- California -- Los Angeles
Bradbury, Bruce Edgar
Box 5, Folder 1
Columbia Pictures grievance records
1972
Box 5, Folder 2
Contacts and memorial material
1953-1985
Box 1, Folder 1
Correspondence and documents
1939-1991
Box 1, Folder 2
Identity, membership, and business cards
1954-1985
Box 5, Folder 4
Motorcycle club and leather subject files
1964-1991
Scope and Contents
Includes Saddleback MC materials.
Box 1, Folder 6
Motorcycle club program, Coronation of Oedipus Rex LVII
1990
Box 5, Folder 5
Personal papers
1957-1987
Scope and Contents
Includes identity cards, resume, and employment materials.
Box 3, Folder 1-2
Photographs
circa 1923-circa 1990
Box 5, Folder 6
Photographs
circa 1930-1980
Scope and Contents
Photographic prints and negatives of family, World War II service, travel in Europe, and motorcycle club involvements.
Tattoos and piercings
1974-1991
Box 1, Folder 5
Business cards, flyers, miscellaneous
1974-1982
Box 1, Folder 5
PFI Quarterly magazine
October 1977
Box 1, Folder 5
Illustrated Men newsletter
May 1990-November 1991
Box 1, Folder 7
Who Are You, Billy Bingleman? (novel, 1 of 2))
circa 1960
Physical Description: Typescript
Box 2, Folder 1-3
Who Are You, Billy Bingleman? (novel, 2 of 2)
circa 1960
Physical Description: Typescript
Box 5, Folder 7-8
Who Are You, Billy Bingleman? (novel)
circa 1960
Box 4, Folder 1
Edgar J. Bradbury's certificates as Freemason
1929-1966
Box 4, Folder 1
Family cemetery map
no date
Box 1, Folder 3
Family correspondence and documents
1929-1966
Home Movies
circa 1958-1960
Physical Description: 8-mm film;1 x 7-inch reel ; 1 x 5 1/2-inch reel ; 5 x 2 3/4-inch reels.
Box 3, Folder 3
"Family, Neighbors, Steam Engines"
1956-1959
Physical Description: 1 x 7-inch reel
Physical Description: 8 mm film;.
Box 3, Folder 4
Films addressed to Edgar J. Bradbury
circa 1958
Physical Description: 8 mm films;3 x 2 3/4-inch reels ; 1 empty reel.
Box 3, Folder 5
Films found with Edgar J. Bradbury films
circa 1958
Physical Description: 8 mm films;1 x 5 1/2-inch reel ; 2 x 2 3/4-inch reels.
Box 1, Folder 4
Memorial cards of family and friends, family cemetery map, petition for probate
1930-1976
