Al MartĂ­nez Papers, 1920-2006

Printable guide [HTML]
Request items

Summary

Abstract:
This collection contains the papers of writer and Los Angeles Times columnist Al MartĂ­nez (1929-2015).
Extent:
173 Linear Feet (138 boxes, 4, binders, 2 oversize folders)
Language:
English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Al MartĂ­nez Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection includes manuscripts for essays, novels, and monographs of collected columns as well as screenplays and television scripts of writer and Los Angeles Times columnist Al MartĂ­nez (1929-2015). In the correspondence there is a large series of letters written by Al MartĂ­nez to his wife, while serving with the U.S. Marines in the Korean War. The voluminous ephemera include research materials and clippings of MartĂ­nez's columns through the years.

Biographical / historical:

Al MartĂ­nez (1929-2015) was a writer and newspaper columnist. He was born July 21, 1929, in Oakland, California. He joined the Marines in 1950 and served in Korea until 1952. While in the Marines he became a combat correspondent and upon discharge became a writer for the Richmond Independent in California. He then worked at the Oakland Tribune as a columnist, feature writer and military writer from 1955-1971. In 1972 he moved with his family to Southern California, taking a job at the Los Angeles Times. MartĂ­nez wrote for the Times until 2009, first as a reporter, then becoming a full-time feature columnist in 1984. He also wrote several screenplays for films and television series, as well as essays in various magazines, and ten books. He and his wife Joanne had three children, Cindy, Linda, and Allen (Marty). Martinez died in Los Angeles in January 2015.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Al MartĂ­nez, March 13, 2006.
Processing information:

Due to the large quantity of autograph notes by Al MartĂ­nez on manuscripts and fax coversheets, I have not included notations for all of the minor markings that may appear on manuscripts, nor have I included added entries for MartĂ­nez in the case of fax coversheet, but rather just the addressee.

In the ephemera, many items have been housed somewhat separated due to their size. Researchers should be sure to look carefully through the contents of all the boxes, especially the extra oversize box, to be sure not to miss any items.

Arrangement:

Arranged in the following series:

  1. Literary Manuscripts (Boxes 1-36)
  2. Screenplays (Boxes 37-70)
  3. Correspondence (Boxes 71-84)
  4. Ephemera (Boxes 85-138)
  5. Loose Binders and Folders

Contemporary materials related to Al MartĂ­nez may be found in the Al MartĂ­nez Information File, which may be paged upon request.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

Terms of access:

Joanne MartĂ­nez, the widow of Al MartĂ­nez, retains the literary rights to the material. She can be contacted at Post Office Box 1509, Topanga, CA. 90290. Phone: 310.455.2954.

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Al MartĂ­nez Papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
Website