Charlotte Selver papers, approximately 1920-2003, bulk approximately 1950-1999

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Summary

Creators:
Selver, Charlotte
Abstract:
The Charlotte Selver papers circa 20th century (bulk approximately 1950 to 1999) consist of the personal and professional correspondence, writings, transcripts of classes and workshops, photographs, personal items, and sound records of Charlotte Selver, music educator, originator of the concept of sensory awareness and leading member of the Sensory Awareness Foundation. Charlotte introduced sensory awareness to the U.S. She was closely connected to the Esalen Institute and San Francisco Zen Center. Her work is continued by the Sensory Awareness Foundation. These papers also contain material related to Charles V.W. Brooks, Selver's husband, author, and Sensory Awareness instructor
Extent:
118.13 Linear Feet; (20 document boxes, 60 cartons, 8 oversize boxes, 8 shoeboxes, 54 audiocassettes, 370 audiotape reels, 6 film reels)
Language:
The collection is in English and German.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], Charlotte Selver papers, HPA Mss 33. Department of Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Background

Scope and content:

The Charlotte Selver papers circa 20th century (bulk approximately 1950 to 1999) consist of the personal and professional correspondence, writings, transcripts of classes and workshops, photographs, personal items, and sound records of Charlotte Selver (1901-2003) generated throughout the course of her career as instructor and leader in the field of sensory awareness.

A large portion of the papers comprises transcripts of interviews and lectures starting in 1959, through the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s in many different locations, including New York City, Monhegan, Esalen, Green Gulch, and Tassajara.

Personal and professional correspondence ranges from the 1940s through the 2000s and is in both English and German. Similarly, photographs range from as early as the 1920s all the way to 2003. Many of the photographs document Selver's classes in body and sensory awareness.

Miscellaneous materials comprise a wide range of items including lectures, manuscripts, reports, programs, publications, notes, guest books, personal items, schedules, bibliographies, clippings, scattered correspondence and transcripts, and pamphlets. Many of these items document her work with Alan Watts, Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki, Heinrich Jacoby, Elsa Gindler, Gertrude Heller, Mary Alice Roche, and Ruth Veselko, among many others.

A large collection of audiotape reels and audicassettes accompany the transcripts. Among these materials is a sizeable group of lectures and workshops conducted by Alan Watts, both alone and in conjunction with Charlotte Selver.

Biographical / historical:

Charlotte Selver (April 4, 1901 in Ruhrort (Duisburg), Germany – August 22, 2003 in Muir Beach, California; nÊe Wittgenstein) German music educator, originator of the concept of sensory awareness and leading member of the Sensory Awareness Foundation began her studies with gymnastics teacher Elsa Gindler and music teacher Heinrich Jacoby in Germany in the 1920s. Their teaching emphasized the development of the natural gifts of each person, at any age. Aspects of this emphasis was carried over into sensory awareness, particularly the conscious sensing of the body and the deliberate following of physical sensation. Emigrating from Germany to New York in 1938, Selver continued her work in this field, which was to have a strong influence on the Human Potential Movement and humanistic psychology, as well as physical therapy and physical psychotherapy. Selver instructed students in sensory awareness in many locations across the United States and the world from 1930s into the 2000s, attracting leaders in the fields psychology, physical therapy, and philosophy, such as Alan Watts, Moshe Feldenkrais, Fritz Perls, and Ida Rolf. Many of Selver's workshops and classes were conducted at the Esalen Institute near Big Sur, California, where her first "experimental workshop" took place in 1963. Selver married Charles V. W. Brooks in 1963, with whom she lived at Muir Beach, California, up until her death in 2003. Together they taught classes and workshops. Based on these experiences, Charles authored Sensory Awareness, describing his work with her as an instructor and the meaning of sensory awareness as a life practice.Cha rlotte Selver died at the age of 102. Her work is continued by the Sensory Awareness Foundation, in San Rafael, California.

Acquisition information:
Transferred to UCSB Special Collections from the Sensory Awareness Foundation.
Arrangement:

These materials have been arranged into the following series: 1. Transcripts, 2. Correspondence, 3. Bulletins & Newsletters, 4. Photographs & Posters, 5. Miscellaneous, 6. Audiovisual, 7. Additions, and 8. Charles V.W. Brooks.

Physical location:
Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Many of the photographs in this collection are brittle and will require special handling. Please contact the UC Santa Barbara Department of Special Research Collections in advance for access.

Terms of access:

Property rights to the collection and physical objects belong to the Regents of the University of California acting through the Department of Special Research Collections at the UCSB Library. All applicable literary rights, including copyright to the collection and physical objects, are protected under Chapter 17 of the U.S. Copyright Code and are retained by the creator and the copyright owner, heir(s), or assigns. All requests to reproduce, quote from, or otherwise reuse collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Department of Special Research Collections at UCSB at special@ucsb.edu. Consent is given on behalf of the Regents of the University of California acting through the Department of Special Research Collections at UCSB as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner, heir(s), or assigns. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or their assigns for permission to publish where the UC Regents do not hold the copyright.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], Charlotte Selver papers, HPA Mss 33. Department of Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Location of this collection:
UC Santa Barbara Library
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9010, US
Contact:
(805) 893-3062
special@library.ucsb.edu
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