Collection Guide
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Photograph albums of West Street Beach Gay
Volleyball
MS.R.110
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections and Archives, University of California, Irvine
Libraries
Title: Photograph albums of West Street Beach gay volleyball
Creator:
Minnucci, Jerry
Identifier/Call Number: MS.R.110
Physical Description:
1.6 Linear Feet
(3 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1973-1975
Abstract: This collection comprises three albums
of photographs taken and assembled by Jerry Minnucci and given to Robert Major documenting a
group of gay volleyball players between 1973 and 1975 in Laguna Beach, California. The
photographs are chiefly of men playing volleyball on West Street Beach and socializing in
other locations. None of the men are identified by name.
Language of Material:
English .
The collection is open for research.
Property rights reside with the University of California. Literary rights are retained by
the creators of the records and their heirs. For permissions to reproduce or to publish,
please contact the Head of Special Collections and Archives.
Photograph albums of West Street Beach gay volleyball. MS-R110. Special Collections and
Archives, The UC Irvine Libraries, Irvine, California. Date accessed.
For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information
about sources consulted in this collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder
descriptions, and box/folder locations.
Gift of Stuart Baron, 2003.
The albums were given to Stuart Baron upon the death of Robert Major.
Processed by Audrey Pearson, 2007.
Over time, many of the photograph pieces became detached. During processing these were
pasted back into place. The albums were unbound and individual pages sleeved in mylar to
prevent the loss of any pieces.
West Street Beach has been a popular recreation and meeting place for Southern California
gays and lesbians since 1972. The volleyball group represented in the albums played from
1972 to circa 1988. The courts, nets, and balls were supplied by the players, many of whom
came from Los Angeles on weekends. The core group of players consisted of 30 to 50 men, many
of whom later died of AIDS.
Jerry Minnucci worked for the American Broadcasting Corporation in the publicity
department. Minnucci photographed the players and assembled the photograph albums as gifts
for Robert Major.
Robert Major was the sponsor of a gay volleyball group who called themselves the
"Majorettes" and played at the West Street Beach in Laguna Beach, California. The volleyball
court was later named after Major.
Collection Scope and Content Summary
This collection comprises three photograph albums assembled by Jerry Minnucci and given to
Robert Major. The albums document a group of gay volleyball players between 1973 and 1975 in
Laguna Beach, California. The photographs are chiefly of men playing volleyball on West
Street Beach and socializing in other locations. None of the men are identified by name. The
original photographs were cut into small squares and pasted to the photograph albums by
Minnucci, creating a mosaic effect.
This collection is arranged in chronological order.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Gays and sports -- California -- Laguna Beach.
Volleyball -- California -- Laguna Beach -- Photographs.
Gay men -- California -- Laguna Beach -- Social life and customs --
Photographs.
Gay men -- California -- Laguna Beach -- Photographs.
Photographic prints -- California -- Orange County.
Major, Robert