Jump to Content

Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Diggers/Communications Company collection 1966-1968.
MANUSCRIPT3861
Collection Overview

Title:

Diggers/Communications Company collection 1966-1968
Diggers

Abstract:

Broadsides, fliers, and pamphlets primarily published by the Communications Company and mostly relating to the Diggers.

Date:

1966 (issued)

Contents:

Folder 1: original Digger sheets: Folder 2: Communications Company-San Francisco (publications); Folder 3: Communications Company-San Francisco (broadsides); Folder 4: Invisible Circus (broadsides and photos); Folder 5: Communications Company-New York; Folder 6: Planet Edge posters; Folder 7: Miscellaneous; Folder 8: Duplicates.

Subject:

n-us-ca
Anderson, Chester, 1932-
Bain, Willard S
Berg, Peter, 1937-2011
Grogan, Emmett
Kelley, Alton, 1940-2008
Lofthouse, Patrick
Mouse, Stanley, 1940-
Stanley, Doc
Tepper, Mari
Diggers (San Francisco, Calif.)
Communications Company (San Francisco, Calif.)
Counterculture -- California -- San Francisco
Haight-Ashbury (San Francisco, Calif.)
Hippies -- California -- San Francisco

Note:

Old summary sheet refers to 2 manuscript boxes. Only one box held collection materials as of August 1996.
The Diggers formed in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury District in 1966 in response to the artistic, musical, and often spiritual explosion going on there. Its original members came from the San Francisco Mime Troupe, prominent among them being Emmett Grogan, Peter Berg, and Peter Cohon (later Peter Coyote). They gave away free food, free clothing, free goods, engaged in aggressive street theater, and generally attempted to channel the Haight-Ashbury's energy into their own particular ideology. The Diggers served basically as the Haight's "conscience," which was not always appreciated. Early in 1967 Chester Anderson came to San Francisco, saw what was going on, acquired a Gestetner mimeograph and stencil cutter, and founded the Communications Company, which could instantly print whatever one wanted printed, important for conveying information and ideas in this high energy scene. The Communications Company printed for anyone who needed it, but also became the official printer for the Diggers. Anderson, however, sometimes found himself at odds with their philosophy and would add his own commentary to the bottom of Digger communications.
Diggers.
Unrestricted. Please credit California State Library.

Physical Description:

print
1 manuscript box; 15 1/2 x 10 1/2 x 3 in.

Language:

English

Identifier:

Origin:

California

Copyright Note:

Unrestricted. Please credit California State Library.